Tipler man gets jail for marijuana grow
IRON MOUNTAIN — A Tipler, Wis., man accused of having 201 marijuana plants and various marijuana edibles in his garage in September 2016 was sentenced to 10 months in jail and four years of probation after accepting a plea deal Tuesday to a felony drug charge in Florence County Court.
Reed Alan Wells, 68, pleaded guilty before Judge Leon Stenz to manufacture or delivery of marijuana-more than 2,500 grams but less than 10,000 grams, a 12 1/2-year felony.
He was initially charged with manufacture or delivery of marijuana-more than 10,000 grams, a 15-year felony. In the plea agreement with Prosecuting Attorney Douglas Drexler, the higher felony was amended and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia were dropped.
Drexler said he did not recommend a prison sentence because Wells has no previous offenses.
“Mr. Wells did cooperate and was not combative in any way, shape or form,” Drexler said of his arrest last fall, though he added, “The number of plants are very concerning.”
Florence County deputies went Sept. 25 to Wells’ residence on Camp 5 Road on a tip that two suspects in a large burglary ring were there, according to the criminal complaint.
Deputies saw a row of 5-gallon buckets containing leafy green plants with lights above them — which they believed to be a marijuana growing operation — in Wells’ garage.
Wells initially told them the plants were tomatoes, then said he was experimenting with marijuana as a pain reliever after a motorcycle accident a year and a half ago, the complaint states.
A search of Wells’ garage and residence revealed the plants, processed marijuana, a quart of hash oil, marijuana edibles such as gummy bears, fudge, brownies and butter, and four loaded guns, according to the complaint.
Deputy Michael Short testified during the preliminary examination that the growing plants, dry plant material, hash oil, gummies and cannabis butter all tested positive for the presence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Defense attorney Roy Polich said Tuesday that Wells began experimenting with marijuana after a Michigan doctor recommended it for pain therapy.
The grow operation and the marijuana edibles became “a hobby, to develop it as a painkiller and not get high,” Polich said.
Wells’ motorcycle accident was so severe it left him disabled, the defense attorney noted. “He has no criminal record,” Polich said. “He’s a law-abiding citizen who made a mistake.”
Judge Stenz said the amount of marijuana plants found was more consistent with someone selling the drug.
In accepting the recommended sentence, the judge warned Wells to comply with the terms of his probation.
“If it’s revoked, all that’s pretty much left is prison,” he said.
Wells told the judge he has no intention of re-offending.
“Your honor, I made a mistake and it won’t happen again,” he said. “I can’t say much more than that.”
Wells was ordered to undergo alcohol and drug assessment, pay court costs and perform 200 hours of community service. He was given credit for two days served in jail.
While serving his sentence, Wells may seek Huber privileges to allow him to assist in home care for his mother.