Police: Smaller Pot Bust Leads to Grow Operation

Members of the Racine County Metro Drug Unit say the target of a search warrant last May led them to a grow operation nearby.

Jerome Joseph Michel, 28, of Racine, was charged Tuesday in Racine County Circuit Court with single felony counts each of possession with intent to deliver, second or subsequent offense; manufacturing/delivering marijuana; and maintaining a drug trafficking place, second or subsequent offense. He was also charged with a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted, Michel faces up to 13 years, 30 days in jail and/or up to $30,500 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, officers with the Racine County Metro Drug Unit executed a search warrant on a home in the 1900 block of Gilson Street in Mount Pleasant. When they got inside, they identified Michel and found 9.2 grams of marijuana and $800 in cash.

Police say Michel told them he sells marijuana out of his home at a rate of one-eighth per week for about $50. During an interview with officers, Michel told them he often helped a nearby friend with his marijuana grow operation.

Officers paid a visit to that home and discovered a fairly sophisticated grow operation, the complaint reads. A total of 11 plants were confiscated along with the equipment used in the operation.

Michel was originally charged in December, and his initial appearance was adjourned so he could obtain legal counsel. Online court records indicate he was in court with a lawyer Tuesday and assigned a $2,000 signature bond. Michel will next be in court for that initial appearance on Jan. 16.