‘Pot Farm’ Leads To Felony Case
Police Say Bridgewater Man Had More Than 100 Plants, Illegally Possessed Firearms
Posted: February 20, 2013
HARRISONBURG — An abduction investigation that led to the discovery of more than 100 marijuana plants in a Bridgewater man’s home resulted in indictments on two felony charges Tuesday.
Rockingham County grand jurors indicted Thomas Harrison Tyler, 61, of 106 S. Sandstone Lane on marijuana and gun possession charges.
On Nov. 28, Bridgewater police went to Tyler’s home to investigate a report of an abduction of a “known acquaintance” earlier that month.
He was arrested on charges of misdemeanor assault and felony abduction the day police went to his home, but those charges were later dismissed by a Rockingham County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge after the victim refused to cooperate in the case.
After his indictment Tuesday, Judge James Lane issued an arrest warrant for Tyler. As of press time, he had not yet been arrested.
Bridgewater police officer Greg Martin searched Tyler’s home on Nov. 28 as part of his investigation into the abduction report. Based on a tip that the case could have a drug connection, Martin called for the assistance of the RUSH Drug Task Force, said Special Agent Mark Campbell of the Virginia State Police, who oversees the task force.
Inside the home, police found more than 100 marijuana plants. A RUSH agent then obtained another search warrant for the property.
Police confiscated 110 marijuana plants, 3 pounds of processed marijuana, cultivation equipment and other paraphernalia, and a shotgun, according to the search warrant affidavit.
Police said the estimated street value of the plants is $3,000 each, while the 3 pounds of pot is worth between $3,000 and $3,600.
Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com
Rockingham County grand jurors indicted Thomas Harrison Tyler, 61, of 106 S. Sandstone Lane on marijuana and gun possession charges.
On Nov. 28, Bridgewater police went to Tyler’s home to investigate a report of an abduction of a “known acquaintance” earlier that month.
He was arrested on charges of misdemeanor assault and felony abduction the day police went to his home, but those charges were later dismissed by a Rockingham County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge after the victim refused to cooperate in the case.
After his indictment Tuesday, Judge James Lane issued an arrest warrant for Tyler. As of press time, he had not yet been arrested.
Bridgewater police officer Greg Martin searched Tyler’s home on Nov. 28 as part of his investigation into the abduction report. Based on a tip that the case could have a drug connection, Martin called for the assistance of the RUSH Drug Task Force, said Special Agent Mark Campbell of the Virginia State Police, who oversees the task force.
Inside the home, police found more than 100 marijuana plants. A RUSH agent then obtained another search warrant for the property.
Police confiscated 110 marijuana plants, 3 pounds of processed marijuana, cultivation equipment and other paraphernalia, and a shotgun, according to the search warrant affidavit.
Police said the estimated street value of the plants is $3,000 each, while the 3 pounds of pot is worth between $3,000 and $3,600.
Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com