Police: School kids turn in pot grower
Toolbox
Staff Report - Published: June 20, 2009
POWNAL – A Furlong Road man is facing felony charges for cultivating marijuana after Pownal Elementary School principal Joy Kitchell told police a concerned parent said children were finding marijuana along the way to school.
Anthony Baker, 34, of Pownal, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Bennington District Court to a felony charge of cultivation of more than three marijuana plants.
In an affidavit, state police Trooper Christopher Burnett said on May 8, Kitchell told him that a parent had called the school to say children had found marijuana plants.
On May 9, Burnett and another trooper went to Baker's home. Police said Baker initially would not give them consent to search his home until Burnett said they could seize the property and wait for a warrant.
Burnett said Baker took officers to an upstairs room in a detached, two-car garage at Baker's home. In the room, according to the affidavit, police found 10 mature marijuana plants and almost 220 seedlings at various stages of germination.
There were no items or materials present that would indicate the marijuana was being weighed or packaged for sale, Burnett said.
According to Burnett, Baker was cooperative and "appeared remorseful." Baker told police the marijuana was only for his personal use, according to the affidavit.
If convicted of the charge against him, Baker could be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
Baker is scheduled to return to court in September.
On Thursday, Kitchell and Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union Acting Superintendent George Carpenter declined to comment on the matter.
13