ACCUSED HIGHLANDS RANCH POT GROWER OUT ON BOND

A Highlands Ranch man charged with a federal drug crime after showing
a television news crew his large medical-marijuana garden was released
from jail on bond today. Chris Bartkowicz, 36, walked out of the
federal courthouse at about 11 a.m. this morning, wearing a
sweatshirt, pants and sandals that a friend brought for him to change
into after a brief hearing. Bartkowicz pulled the hood of his
sweatshirt over his head and said, "no comment whatsoever" to the
three news reporters standing outside.

Bartkowicz is charged with cultivating more than 100 marijuana plants
in the basement of his home, a charge that could bring 5 to 40 years
in prison and up to a $2 million fine. Drug Enforcement Administration
agents raided his home on Feb. 12, the same day 9News posted an online
story connected to an interview with Bartkowicz that was scheduled to
air that night. The DEA targeted Bartkowicz after seeing the story,
according to court documents.

Bartkowicz has said he believes he was in compliance with state
medical-marijuana laws, but federal officials have said he had more
plants than state law allows and that marijuana cultivation remains
illegal federally regardless.

Bartkowicz's release today comes amid strong signs that he has reached
a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Bartkowicz's attorney, Joseph Saint-Veltri, has filed a document with
the court saying "the parties have reached a disposition in this
matter" that requires Bartkowicz to change his plea. Prosecutors have
previously filed a motion saying that Bartkowicz would "plead to an
Information." An information is a charging document that is filed in
federal court in lieu of an indictment.

No date has yet been set for Bartkowicz to change his plea, and
Saint-Veltri has declined to comment on any possible plea deal.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig Shaffer referenced the apparent deal today
when agreeing to change Bartkowicz's bond conditions, calling the
change-of-plea request a "significant change."

Bartkowicz was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond. He must stay in
home confinement and under electronic surveillance while out on bond,
and he cannot use alcohol or drugs, including medical marijuana.

"The fact that I am reducing the conditions," Shaffer said today, "in
no way means the case is less serious."