C-Falls man pleads not guilty to pot grow

A 28-year-old Columbia Falls man recently pleaded not guilty to operating a marijuana grow in Columbia Falls last year.

Darin Nau was arraigned in Flathead County District Court on Sept. 19. He was charged with criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs. Because he allegedly had more than 30 plants, he faces up to two years to life and a $50,000 fine if convicted.

According to court documents, Flathead County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Nau’s residence on Seventh Avenue East North on Feb. 2, 2012, and allegedly found more than 30 plants, some harvested marijuana, growing equipment and paraphernalia.

Charges against Nau weren’t filed until March 6 this year. He posted a $5,000 bond and has been living in Williston, N.D., since then. Nau has a court-appointed attorney and an omnibus hearing scheduled for Dec. 4.