Blake L. Schneider faces five to 40 years in prison, if convicted of marijuana manufacturing but his attorney Pat Cafferty isn't ready to concede the case.

"He's 57 (years old), has no prior convictions, he's a very decent guy and we'll take it one step at a time in terms of proceedings here," Cafferty said after court.

Schneider is currently unemployed but has worked at a wine shop and at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, Cafferty said.

Schneider was originally charged in Green County Circuit Court along with Jean C. Anderson, 54, of Argyle. Schneider's case was transferred to federal court in February and dismissed in Green County, but marijuana possession and delivery charges remain pending against Anderson in Green County.

Authorities reportedly found more than 200 pot plants valued at an estimated $225,000 on Dec. 7 when executing a search warrant at Schneider's Meadow Brook Road residence and outbuildings in the town of Adams. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman, declined to disclose how authorities learned of Schneider's alleged grow operation.

The government is seeking forfeiture of the Meadow Brook Road residence under civil statutes that allow seizure of property used in the commission of a drug offense. Wisconsin Community Bank has a mortgage on the property. The forfeiture proceeding is stayed until criminal proceedings against Schneider are resolved.

Federal Magistrate Stephen Crocker set Scheider's trial for Aug. 1 before District Judge Barbara Crabb. Crocker continued Schneider's release on conditions including maintaining the property and staying current on the mortgage until trial.