DA DISMISSES ONE OF TWO POT CASES

One of two marijuana cases filed against a Janesville man has been
dismissed, but the second still is pending in Rock County Court.

The charge of delivery of marijuana that prompted an arrest warrant
for Michael J. Lacey, 44, and a search warrant for his home, ####
Academy St., upper apartment, was dismissed without prejudice because
the informant in the case declined to testify, said Scott Dirks, an
assistant district attorney for Rock County.

The original complaint accused Lacey of selling a small amount of
marijuana, Dirks said, adding that he had no leverage to compel the
informant to testify.

But because he dismissed the case without prejudice, he can reinstate
the charge if the informant decides to testify, Dirks said.

Regardless, after police broke through the lock on Lacey's door the
morning of April 12, they found several marijuana plants and a small
amount of marijuana, according to the second complaint charging Lacey
with manufacturing marijuana and maintaining a drug-trafficking place.

Lacey has a court appearance Monday in the second case.

Lacey's initial arrest and the search of his apartment made front-page
news April 12 after Janesville police invited a reporter and a
photographer from The Janesville Gazette to accompany them as they
executed arrest and search warrants in a predawn drug sweep throughout
the city.