MADISON - A second rural Argyle man in as many months has been accused in federal court of growing marijuana at his residence.
According to an affidavit by Lafayette Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Jerry filed in court this week, a March 11 search warrant executed at Troy C. Thompson's 1285 Puddledock Rd. residence seized:
Approximately 103 marijuana plants; 15 grow lights and ballasts; fans and filters; growing chemicals; an aeration system, including water pumps and tubing; a heating mat; a portable greenhouse; pruning shears; timers; humidity sensors; thermometers; plastic sheeting; a half-ounce of hashish; 8.5 ounces of marijuana; and assorted drug paraphernalia.
Thompson, 43, hasn't been criminally charged in state or federal court in connection with the grow operation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman said she didn't know if charges would be filed but Thompson's property could be seized in a civil proceeding.
"We have to prove that the property is substantially connected to a crime. Whether the proceeds used to buy the property were from drug sales or it was used in a growing operating which the complaint states," said Altman.
No court dates have been set in the case and Thompson is not yet represented by an attorney. Efforts to contact Thompson Tuesday were unsuccessful.
A civil forfeiture proceeding can take several months to complete, as the party needs to be served with the complaint and has the opportunity to answer before a hearing can be held, said Altman.
If successful, the federal government is entitled to 20 percent of the sale proceeds in forfeiture and the balance is divided between participating law enforcement agencies, which in Thompson's case, may only be the Lafayette County Sherriff's Department, said Altman.
The complaint lists the value of Thompson's residence at $146,000. The court may award the lender, if any, the amount they are owed on the property when sold in a forfeiture action.
Last month Blake Schneider, 57, of rural Argyle was indicted in federal court after more than 100 marijuana plants were found at his Meadow Brook Rd. residence in December. The case from transferred from Green County Circuit Court and on Friday Schneider entered a not guilty plea.
If convicted of manufacturing marijuana he faces five to 40 years in prison.
Forfeiture proceedings against Schneider's property were stayed pending the outcome of the criminal case, as failure to convict may harm the chances of the forfeiture succeeding, said Altman.
Altman, who is also prosecuting both rural Argyle men, said she didn't know if there was any connection between Schneider's and Thompson's cases.
According to an affidavit by Lafayette Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Jerry filed in court this week, a March 11 search warrant executed at Troy C. Thompson's 1285 Puddledock Rd. residence seized:
Approximately 103 marijuana plants; 15 grow lights and ballasts; fans and filters; growing chemicals; an aeration system, including water pumps and tubing; a heating mat; a portable greenhouse; pruning shears; timers; humidity sensors; thermometers; plastic sheeting; a half-ounce of hashish; 8.5 ounces of marijuana; and assorted drug paraphernalia.
Thompson, 43, hasn't been criminally charged in state or federal court in connection with the grow operation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman said she didn't know if charges would be filed but Thompson's property could be seized in a civil proceeding.
"We have to prove that the property is substantially connected to a crime. Whether the proceeds used to buy the property were from drug sales or it was used in a growing operating which the complaint states," said Altman.
No court dates have been set in the case and Thompson is not yet represented by an attorney. Efforts to contact Thompson Tuesday were unsuccessful.
A civil forfeiture proceeding can take several months to complete, as the party needs to be served with the complaint and has the opportunity to answer before a hearing can be held, said Altman.
If successful, the federal government is entitled to 20 percent of the sale proceeds in forfeiture and the balance is divided between participating law enforcement agencies, which in Thompson's case, may only be the Lafayette County Sherriff's Department, said Altman.
The complaint lists the value of Thompson's residence at $146,000. The court may award the lender, if any, the amount they are owed on the property when sold in a forfeiture action.
Last month Blake Schneider, 57, of rural Argyle was indicted in federal court after more than 100 marijuana plants were found at his Meadow Brook Rd. residence in December. The case from transferred from Green County Circuit Court and on Friday Schneider entered a not guilty plea.
If convicted of manufacturing marijuana he faces five to 40 years in prison.
Forfeiture proceedings against Schneider's property were stayed pending the outcome of the criminal case, as failure to convict may harm the chances of the forfeiture succeeding, said Altman.
Altman, who is also prosecuting both rural Argyle men, said she didn't know if there was any connection between Schneider's and Thompson's cases.