Man Charged In Growhouse Operation

LAKE PLACID - The arrest of a Lake Placid man Friday on charges of marijuana production was in connection with the Aug. 7 raid and dismantling of a growhouse at 648 Western Blvd., Lake Placid.

Jesus Ernesto Garcia, 26, of the above address, was charged with grand theft $20,000 or more but less than $100,000, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, marijuana production, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

It took some good old-fashioned detective work by collecting fingerprint evidence to reportedly link Garcia to the grow operation taking place at his property, according to a Highlands County Sheriff's Office arrest report.

On Aug. 7, members of the sheriff's Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at the Western Boulevard address. Inside a search of the house was conducted and investigators seized 45 potted pot plants each 12 to 14 inches tall.

The plants weighed in at about 504 grams, the report stated.

During the search, detectives lifted a fingerprint from one of the pieces of electrical equipment seized inside the growhouse.
It was determined through the Highlands County Tax Collector's office that the home was owned by Garcia.

On Aug. 9, investigators contacted the Miami-Dade Police Department and obtained a copy of Garcia's fingerprints from a prior arrest there.

Also on Aug. 9, an investigator with Progress Energy determined that $24,573.09 had been diverted without paying for it.

All information was forwarded to the State Attorney's Office.
On Aug. 24, a warrant was signed by Judge Olin Shinholser for Garcia's arrest.

At 5:09 p.m. Sept. 14, sheriff's deputy Kelly White arrested Garcia during a traffic stop at U.S. 27 and State Road 70, south of Lake Placid, according to a sheriff's central records spokeswoman.