Man sentenced for growing marijuana in his Idaho Falls backyard
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IDAHO FALLS — An Idaho Falls man who was found growing 24 marijuana plants in a backyard greenhouse was placed on probation Tuesday.
Randall K. Foster, 59, was given four years of felony probation after pleading guilty to manufacture of a controlled substance. He will also be required to give 100 hours of community service. Additionally, Foster was given 90 days of discretionary jail time with credit for time served. He is also required to pay $2,227.95 in fees and fines.
Idaho Falls Police served a search warrant on Oct. 8 at the home of Foster and Audrey J. Atwood, 62, on the 600 block of 12th Street, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com.
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When police arrived, officers reported smelling a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from a locked makeshift greenhouse in the backyard. Police noted the plastic covering the greenhouse was “bulging” from the large amount of marijuana inside.
When police cut the lock on the door, they discovered the fully grown plants with automatic drip lines and a ventilation system. Both Foster and Atwood were arrested on charges of manufacturing (or in this case growing) a controlled substance.
District Judge Joel E. Tingey ordered a withheld judgment on the case, meaning after Foster completes probation he can appeal to have the charges dismissed.
Atwood was eventually charged with conspiracy to unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance. She has a jury trial scheduled for March 5.