Second pot grower gets nine-year suspended sentence

A 29-year-old marijuana grower was sentenced to nine years all suspended after his girlfriend was earlier given a six-year deferred sentence for her role in the same grow operation.

Timothy Wheat and his girlfriend, Shawn Plummer, 20, were arrested Aug. 7, 2012, after Northwest Montana Drug Task Force agents received a tip about a “large marijuana production operation.”

According to court documents, Wheat and Plummer were detained at the site of the grow operation — property owned by Wheat’s father on Blackmer Lane. A search of a shop on the property turned up 70 plants in various stages of growth, lighting equipment and about 224 grams of marijuana drying in an upstairs room.

A search of a home on Badrock Lane where the couple lived allegedly turned up marijuana pipes and bongs, 11 grams of marijuana next to a digital scale and “numerous firearms.”

Wheat and Plummer were initially charged with one felony count of criminal production of a dangerous drug and one felony count of criminal possession with intent to distribute. They each faced up to 22 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000 if convicted.

In a May 21 pretrial agreement with Plummer, the Flathead County Attorney’s Office agreed to drop the criminal production charge if she pleaded guilty to the possession charge. Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison accepted the plea deal and sentenced Plummer on July 11.

Wheat made a different plea deal on May 30. While the county attorney’s office agreed to recommend 10 years all suspended if he pleaded guilty to criminal production of a dangerous drug, Wheat’s public defender, Courtney Nolan, wanted eight years all suspended.

Judge Allison compromised and sentenced Wheat on Aug. 29 to nine years all suspended. The possession charge was dismissed in the plea deal. Wheat was also ordered to make an appointment for a chemical dependency evaluation.