Marijuana growing leads to probation

A Jefferson City man was placed on two years of unsupervised probation for pleading guilty to an amended charge in connection with a marijuana growing operation found in September 2015.

Michael Williamson, 29, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

He had been charged with one count of felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Williamson was caught while Jefferson City police were assisting federal marshals at 317 Marshall St. They were looking for and found an Arkansas man staying at that residence who was wanted for a murder in Blytheville, Arkansas.

Officers found marijuana packaged in various ways lying on the dining room table next to a digital scale and a box of sandwich bags. More than 21 grams of marijuana were divided between three glass jars, and 40.7 grams were packaged in individual two-gram bags. Marijuana pipes also were found in various locations.

Williamson said he was unaware of an operation going on at the residence.

Authorities pointed out the residence where this occurred is within 100 yards of Simonsen 9th Grade Center.