KEWASKUM MAN CHARGED IN POT BUST

Authorities Say They Stopped Potentially Big Marijuana-Growing Effort In An
Early Stage

West Bend - Law enforcement officials believe they stopped a major
marijuana-growing operation with the recent arrest of a Kewaskum man.

Gregory A. Kurtz, 39, appeared in court Wednesday. He is charged with
manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a drug house and possessing drug
paraphernalia. If convicted, he could face nearly seven years in prison.

The Washington County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Group,
spearheaded by the Sheriff's Department, searched Kurtz's home Monday after
a monthlong investigation.

Deputies seized 18 plants, three-quarters of a pound of dried marijuana,
pots, soil and nutrients used to cultivate plants.

"We got him early into his operation," sheriff's Lt. John Buck said. "This
wasn't the first time he had grown marijuana. He just hadn't had time to
set it all up yet."

Buck said part of the basement was set up as a "grow room," replete with
blacked-out windows, fertilizer and lights.

Kurtz previously lived in West Bend and moved to Kewaskum only within the
past couple of weeks, Buck said.

Deputies said they found dried and bagged marijuana throughout the home on
Pleasantwood Drive.

"What was around the home and what was growing in the basement was not
consistent with personal use," Buck said. "We have evidence he has grown in
the past."

Buck said the 18 plants were not ready for harvest and were not weighed.
The largest of the plants was about 20 inches, he said, and many were
younger, small plants.

Each plant would have been worth $1,000 had it been mature, Buck said.

"Even little plants grow up to be big plants" and produce marijuana for
distribution, Buck said.

A criminal complaint filed Wednesday says Kurtz kept a drug house by
growing the marijuana in the home.

Kurtz was released on a signature bond after appearing in court. He is
scheduled to return to court Nov. 22.