Johnson City police found a marijuana growing operation inside a home on Virginia Street after checking on a disturbance this past Thursday, according to a news release.
James Walsh, 30, and Melissa Rebenock, 32, both of 1510 Virginia St., were charged with the manufacture of a controlled substance (marijuana), possession of a schedule I drug for resale, maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are kept or sold, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and felony child neglect or endangerment.
Police found a marijuana growing operation a few feet away from where two children were sleeping, according to a police report.
Thirteen marijuana plants and 12 ounces of processed marijuana were found in the house, along with 17 MDMA pills, police said.
Also found were scales, plastic bags and other paraphernalia police said was consistent with the sale of marijuana.
Police officers were originally called to the house to investigate a possible domestic assault, according to the police report. Those initial officers found evidence of the marijuana and called for investigators, who executed a search warrant.
Walsh and Rebenock were being held in the Washington County Detention Center on $51,000 bonds.
They were scheduled to have appeared in Sessions Court Monday.
The Department of Children’s Services took custody of the children.
Animal Control took custody of four cats living in the house.
adam5579 writes:
November 6, 2012
4:54 PM
come on now, a little pot ain't gonna hurt nobody.
southampton08 writes:
November 6, 2012
7:36 PM
You can always move to Colorado.
speakthetruth writes:
November 7, 2012
7:56 AM
yeah pot never hurt anyone, but the mdma pills ( better known as x ) would probably kill one of those kids. They were just plain reckless in that aspect
AnonGF writes:
November 7, 2012
12:35 PM
Speakthetruth how are you supposed to know whether or not those pills were kept somewhere safe and weren't discovered during the police invasion? There are parents that have been prescribed OxyContin and have that substance in there homes stored safely and that isn't a problem, nor is this. I'm ashamed of the waste of time and resources that I'm sure will go into this. It is their body they can do with it as they please, and shouldn't be forced to fear government. Violence is not a healthy environment and should be the only factor for this young couple, but they will now be faced with a prison sentence.
justice*for*gene writes:
November 13, 2012
3:27 AM
OK AonoGF those pills were not prescribed oxycotin they were ecstasy pills which have killed many many young adults as well as old. So I am sure that if one of the children took one this would be a very tragic event. As far as the "pot" goes they are plants so I dont see the children being affected by that unless someone was smoking it around them. I agree with you somewhat. When I see stories like this I wonder if they were not saling the stuff to help support their family in this horrible economy. What people dont realize is people do desperate things to provide for their children. I hate to see any child took away from their parents well with exception of abuse and health hazzards. Anyway this could hopefully be their 1st time in trouble and maybe they can get whatever sentence behind them and take steps to get their children back!
provided.