C-Falls pot grower sentenced

A 34-year-old Columbia Falls man was given a five-year suspended sentence for his role in a pot grow in Columbia Falls following a plea agreement.

Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison sentenced Jedidiah McDonald on a single count of felony criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs. McDonald was also fined $1,000.

According to court records, the Northwest Drug Task Force learned from a confidential informant about a pot grow on U.S. 2 East in Columbia Falls on Aug. 8, 2013. After conducting surveillance at the residence, the agents found higher than expected power usage.

A search warrant was executed on Aug. 27. The agents found Daniel Grasser, 33, of Whitefish, in the garage and 158 pot plants at the property in various stages of growth, along with lighting and growing equipment and some pot ready for use or sale.

Grasser told the agents he operated the grow for McDonald, which was confirmed with McDonald’s cousin. When the agents interviewed McDonald, he allegedly admitted the pot grow was his.

Allison sentenced Grasser to five years all suspended last November.