Cash crop: Farmer discovers marijuana during corn harvest

ST. JOHNS — A Clinton County farmer discovered an unexpected crop while harvesting corn earlier this month.

The farmer was harvesting a field on Williams Road near Green Road in Olive Township on Oct. 19 when he came across a stand of marijuana plants. Officers with the Clinton County Sheriff's Office responded and seized 28 plants, according to Undersheriff Larry Jerue.

"The plants weighed about 85 pounds, but that includes the roots and stalk. Only about about 15 to 20 pounds would be able to be sold on the street," Jerue said.

Jerue estimated the value of the 15 pounds of marijuana at $48,000, based on a price of $200 per ounce.

Corn galore: Harvest brings surprises for area farmers

The discovery and seizure came three days after deputies arrested two people who were drying marijuana plants in a barn on Stoll Road in Watertown Township. Deputies seized 15 pounds of marijuana from that site, which is owned by Watertown Township.

Donald Slater, 35, of Lansing and Dustin Ettinger, 32, of St. Johns each have been charged with breaking and entering and intent to deliver and manufacture 5 to 40 kilos of marijuana. They are being held at the Clinton County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Jerue said the investigation is continuing, but there is no indication that the two incidents are connected.

"This is the time period that the growers harvest their plants because they want to bring them in before the farmer harvests the legitimate crop. It is possible that these plants were not harvested because the persons who planted them are in jail, but there is nothing to indicate that as of this time," said Jerue.

Contact Tom Thelen at (517) 377-1097 or tthelen@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomThelen_LSJ.