MARIPOSA COUNTY – A 27-year-old man has been arrested for illegally growing marijuana after a multi-agency investigation culminates in the Coulterville area.
On Aug. 27, deputies and detectives from the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, along with officers from the Mariposa County Probation Department and Yosemite National Park Special Response Team, investigated an illegal marijuana growing ring by serving search warrants at four homes, all located in the Lake Don Pedro / Coulterville area of Mariposa County.
Prior to the warrants, it was Mariposa County Sheriff’s detectives investigating a report of a residential burglary that brought their attention to the marijuana activity. Detectives determined that several homes were possibly involved, and that the individuals were selling to a medical marijuana dispensary in a different county. This is a violation of Mariposa County Ordinance and also state and federal law.
Three of the homes searched produced evidence indicating marijuana grows were recently present but had been removed prior to the search warrants being served.
At a residence located in the 10000 Block of Jasmin Way, deputies located over 300 live marijuana plants growing inside the home and additional 6 outside. Approximately 10 lbs. of processed marijuana and $4,000 cash was also collected.
Additional evidence items were also collected during the search of the four homes, which consisted of five handguns, multiple indoor grow lights, multiple smoking devices, scales and tools used for processing marijuana.
Cody Stotts, 27 of Coulterville was arrested and booked into the Mariposa County Jail on charges of Cultivation of Marijuana and Possession with Intent to Sell.
