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Two face marijuana growing charges
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MADISON - Two area men are indicted in federal court for conspiring in a pot-growing operation, following searches last week of their homes in Argyle and Monticello.

Kelvin W. Johnson, 52, Monticello, and Steven G. Nelson, 60, Argyle, were arrested Thursday, Sept. 13, and stood mute on the charges later the same day during their arraignment in Madison, according to court records.

They're accused of conspiring "with each other and with others, known and unknown," between June 1 and Sept. 12 to grow and distribute marijuana in an operation involving 100 or more plants. They're also charged with possession of the drug.

Search warrants were executed on their homes early Thursday morning, in a joint operation of the Stateline Area Narcotics Team and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

Johnson lives in the W6100 block of County C in rural Monticello, according to online court records. His prior convictions include marijuana possession, disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated.

Nelson lives in the 200 block of South Fairview Avenue in Argyle. He pleaded guilty in Wood County Circuit Court in 2009 to possessing more than 2,500 grams (five and a half pounds) of marijuana and was sentenced to two years in prison and five years of extended supervision.

A two-day jury trial for Johnson and Nelson is scheduled to begin Feb. 11. Attorney Mark Maciolek is representing Johnson, and attorney Kelly Welsh is representing Nelson.

If convicted, they face up to 40 years in prison.