MADISON - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, has indicted Blake L. Schneider, 56, Argyle, with manufacturing marijuana.
The indictment alleges that in December 2010, Schneider manufactured 100 or more marijuana plants. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of the property allegedly used to facilitate the crime, located on Meadow Brook Road, Argyle.
The indictment is in addition to charges Schneider faces in Green County Circuit Court as a result of the investigation.
If convicted, Schneider faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison.
The charge against Schneider is the result of an investigation by the Green County Sheriff's Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT).
The prosecution of the federal case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
A large indoor marijuana growing operation was discovered Dec. 7. 2010, at a residence in Adams township, about four miles east of Argyle, authorities said.
Schneider, 56, owner of the residence at W8507 Meadow Brook Road, and Jean C. Anderson, 60, were arrested following a search of the residence.
Agents reportedly seized 206 growing marijuana plants and 8,359 grams of processed marijuana. The marijuana plants were grown in rooms in the house's basement, as well as in an exterior steel building.
According to Green County Chief Deputy Jeff Skatrud, each marijuana plant produces an average of one pound of marijuana, valued at $1,000 a pound.
The estimated value of the marijuana plants is $206,000. The estimated value of the processed marijuana is approximately $18,500.
Among other items seized by agents were high-intensity grow lights, exhaust fans, scales, packing materials, six long guns, one handgun, one truck, two sport utility vehicles, one tractor, three motorcycles, one all-terrain vehicle and a generator.
The investigation was launched after authorities received a tip through Green County Crime Stoppers, officials said.
Schneider is also charged in Green County Circuit Court with manufacture/deliver marijuana, a class E felony; possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a class F felony; maintaining a drug trafficking place, a class I felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an unclassified misdemeanor. He faces more than 21 years in prison and more than $85,000 in fines, if convicted.
He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing with Judge Thomas J. Vale at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 in Green County Circuit Court.
A Green County Circuit Court preliminary hearing is also scheduled for Feb. 18 for Anderson, who is charged with manufacture/deliver marijuana, a class E felony; possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a class F felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an unclassified misdemeanor.
She faces more than 17 years in prison and more than $75,000 in fines, if convicted.
The indictment alleges that in December 2010, Schneider manufactured 100 or more marijuana plants. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of the property allegedly used to facilitate the crime, located on Meadow Brook Road, Argyle.
The indictment is in addition to charges Schneider faces in Green County Circuit Court as a result of the investigation.
If convicted, Schneider faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison.
The charge against Schneider is the result of an investigation by the Green County Sheriff's Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT).
The prosecution of the federal case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
A large indoor marijuana growing operation was discovered Dec. 7. 2010, at a residence in Adams township, about four miles east of Argyle, authorities said.
Schneider, 56, owner of the residence at W8507 Meadow Brook Road, and Jean C. Anderson, 60, were arrested following a search of the residence.
Agents reportedly seized 206 growing marijuana plants and 8,359 grams of processed marijuana. The marijuana plants were grown in rooms in the house's basement, as well as in an exterior steel building.
According to Green County Chief Deputy Jeff Skatrud, each marijuana plant produces an average of one pound of marijuana, valued at $1,000 a pound.
The estimated value of the marijuana plants is $206,000. The estimated value of the processed marijuana is approximately $18,500.
Among other items seized by agents were high-intensity grow lights, exhaust fans, scales, packing materials, six long guns, one handgun, one truck, two sport utility vehicles, one tractor, three motorcycles, one all-terrain vehicle and a generator.
The investigation was launched after authorities received a tip through Green County Crime Stoppers, officials said.
Schneider is also charged in Green County Circuit Court with manufacture/deliver marijuana, a class E felony; possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a class F felony; maintaining a drug trafficking place, a class I felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an unclassified misdemeanor. He faces more than 21 years in prison and more than $85,000 in fines, if convicted.
He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing with Judge Thomas J. Vale at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 in Green County Circuit Court.
A Green County Circuit Court preliminary hearing is also scheduled for Feb. 18 for Anderson, who is charged with manufacture/deliver marijuana, a class E felony; possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a class F felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an unclassified misdemeanor.
She faces more than 17 years in prison and more than $75,000 in fines, if convicted.