05-20-13 Marijuana Grow – Up in Smoke Press Release

          MAY 20, 2013.

PRESS RELEASE

ParkerCounty Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man after emergency personnel responded to a grass and structure fire.

ParkerCounty Sheriff Larry Fowler said the incident occurred on Meadow View Road in Springtown Sunday, May 19, 2013, at around 5 p.m.

County fire personnel and Sheriff’s deputies entered the residence during the suppression of the fire under exigent circumstances and discovered a marijuana grow inside the home.

Officials discovered a complete marijuana grown operation inside the residence, including an irrigation system, grow lights, timers and humidifiers along with 24 large hydroponic plants and 17 smaller hydroponic plants. Officials also discovered additional cultivated marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff’s deputies took photographs of the scene and grow operation before the fire could destroy the evidence.

Sheriff’s deputies questioned the occupant of the home. The occupant, identified as William Joseph McCue, 26, implicated himself in tending to the marijuana grow operation. Sheriff’s deputies also discovered the residence was under construction to apparently expand the illegal operation.

Officials reported the fire is suspected to have originated from an outdoor burn barrel which spread to a grass fire then a storage/barn fire and eventually to the residence.

Officials stated the barn/storage building was completely destroyed by fire. A complete monetary estimation of damage to the residence is unknown at this time.

The case is under investigation by the Weatherford-Parker County Special Crimes Unit and the fire is under investigation by the Parker County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Additional charges are pending the investigation.

McCue was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. As of Monday morning, McCue’s bond had not been set and he remained incarcerated at the Parker County Jail.