FIRE DESTROYS SUSPECTED MARIJUANA GROWING OPERATION

The State Fire Marshal and Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office are
investigating a fire that destroyed what appeared to be a large
indoor marijuana growing operation. One person has been arrested in the case.

The fire was reported before dawn Tuesday at [redacted]. Firefighters
were unable to save the 36-by-140-foot wood-frame barn. Among the
charred remains, investigators reported finding what appeared to be
fans, lights, air conditioners, humidifiers and more than 200
marijuana plants, according to sheriff's Lt. Teri Gentry.

"What we saw there was consistent with a grow house for marijuana,"
Gentry said.

Investigators also found what appeared to be a system for illegally
diverting electricity from nearby power lines. As a result of that
finding, deputies arrested one man who had been staying on the property.

[redacted], was charged him with theft of utilities for allegedly
stealing $35,866 worth of electricity. Gentry said additional charges
are likely to be filed against [redacted] and others as the
investigation continues.

Investigators described the property where the alleged grow house was
found as a [redacted], including the one that burned.

"We expect to have more on this case as we continue investigating,"
Gentry said on Thursday.