Pot plants found in hidden room

August 14, 2009 - 7:54am

Deputies on Wednesday arrested a Frederick man after discovering at least 40 marijuana plants, unsophisticated growing equipment and illegal drugs in a house on Crestview Drive, said Cpl. Jennifer Bailey, Frederick County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

Bronson W. McLain, 31, of the 10100 block of Crestview Drive, was released Wednesday night from the Frederick County Adult Detention Center after posting $35,000 bail, a District Court commissioner said.

McLain, formerly of Woodsboro , is charged with two counts of manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, three counts of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, using drug paraphernalia, possession of Oxycontin with intent to distribute, possession of Oxycontin pills, possession of oxycodone, possession of oxycodone hydrochloride pills, possession of Valium, possession with intent to distribute Valium, possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony.

In 1999, he pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Circuit Court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, according to court records.

McLain lives in the house on Crestview Drive with three children, who have been placed with the Department of Social Services since his arrest, Bailey said.

Deputies went to the house around 3 p.m. Wednesday to see if the children were safe after a caller expressed concerns, she said.

McLain was home when deputies knocked on the door, Bailey said. "The narcotics person smelled a strong odor in the home," she said.

After a warrant was issued, agents with the Narcotics Task Force searched the residence, she said. They found marijuana plants in various stages of growth and 530 grams of marijuana -- which sells for about $15 a gram.

The marijuana plants were housed in a hidden room roughly 5 feet wide and 15 feet long, Bailey said. The room's two access points were through a closet and a makeshift door behind a bookshelf, Bailey said.

Agents also found equipment such as lighting, scales and bags, Bailey said. They seized two guns along with Oxycontin pills and Valium, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

by Pamela Rigaux @ The Frederick News-Post

In 1999, he pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Circuit Court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, according to court records.

McLain lives in the house on Crestview Drive with three children, who have been placed with the Department of Social Services since his arrest, Bailey said.

Deputies went to the house around 3 p.m. Wednesday to see if the children were safe after a caller expressed concerns, she said.

McLain was home when deputies knocked on the door, Bailey said. "The narcotics person smelled a strong odor in the home," she said.

Agents also found equipment such as lighting, scales and bags, Bailey said. They seized two guns along with Oxycontin pills and Valium, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

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