MADISON - A Monticello man admitted Tuesday in federal court to conspiring to grow more than 100 marijuana plants last summer on County C, just west of Monticello.
Kelvin W. Johnson told District Judge Barbara Crabb that he "helped grow it, cultivate it."
Asked specifically what he did, Johnson said he "more or less dug holes, knocked down weeds and carried water," to a plot secluded by trees and crops.
A tip to Nicholas Sheesley, of the Green County Sheriff's Department and the State Line Area Narcotics Team, lead him to a 145 plants in a well-tended marijuana plot in June, said Assistant U.S Attorney Tim O'Shea.
The plants were still growing when authorities returned to the plot in August to set up a surveillance camera. A short time later they retrieved the camera which recorded images of Johnson, 53 and Steven G. Nelson working the plot, O'Shea said.
A search executed at Johnson's W611 County C residence recovered approximately 70 marijuana plants, as well as trays, fertilizer and other equipment in a basement grow room, O'Shea said.
Johnson's attorney, William Ginsberg, said his client helped grow the marijuana in exchange "for some of it" while others planned to sell it.
Crabb accepted Johnson's guilty plea to a marijuana manufacturing charge and set his sentencing for April 5. He faces maximum statutory penalties of up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years supervised release.
Johnson agreed to make a full statement of his criminal conduct in the offense and could receive a reduced sentence for his cooperation.
Nelson was also charged with manufacturing marijuana and is expected to plead guilty on Feb. 5.
The government has filed an asset forfeiture claim against Johnson's residence valued at $88,200. The government alleged it can seize the property because it was used in Johnson's growing operation.
The government can accept cash in lieu of the property, and Johnson is attempting to raise enough money by time of sentencing to satisfy the forfeiture, O'Shea said. Crabb continued Johnson's release on conditions to allow him to raise sufficient funds.
Kelvin W. Johnson told District Judge Barbara Crabb that he "helped grow it, cultivate it."
Asked specifically what he did, Johnson said he "more or less dug holes, knocked down weeds and carried water," to a plot secluded by trees and crops.
A tip to Nicholas Sheesley, of the Green County Sheriff's Department and the State Line Area Narcotics Team, lead him to a 145 plants in a well-tended marijuana plot in June, said Assistant U.S Attorney Tim O'Shea.
The plants were still growing when authorities returned to the plot in August to set up a surveillance camera. A short time later they retrieved the camera which recorded images of Johnson, 53 and Steven G. Nelson working the plot, O'Shea said.
A search executed at Johnson's W611 County C residence recovered approximately 70 marijuana plants, as well as trays, fertilizer and other equipment in a basement grow room, O'Shea said.
Johnson's attorney, William Ginsberg, said his client helped grow the marijuana in exchange "for some of it" while others planned to sell it.
Crabb accepted Johnson's guilty plea to a marijuana manufacturing charge and set his sentencing for April 5. He faces maximum statutory penalties of up to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years supervised release.
Johnson agreed to make a full statement of his criminal conduct in the offense and could receive a reduced sentence for his cooperation.
Nelson was also charged with manufacturing marijuana and is expected to plead guilty on Feb. 5.
The government has filed an asset forfeiture claim against Johnson's residence valued at $88,200. The government alleged it can seize the property because it was used in Johnson's growing operation.
The government can accept cash in lieu of the property, and Johnson is attempting to raise enough money by time of sentencing to satisfy the forfeiture, O'Shea said. Crabb continued Johnson's release on conditions to allow him to raise sufficient funds.