More Than A Thousand Pot Plants Seized

Wed., July 30, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Officials corralled 1,333 marijuana plants in Stevens County during a weeklong pot roundup.

Three suspects were arrested in the widely scattered pot-growing operations, and a fourth man is being sought for questioning.

The charges resulted from aerial surveillance last week by the county Sheriff’s Department, with help from the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and state Department of Natural Resources. Marijuana was found on federal, state and private lands.

James A. Looney, 46, was arrested at his home in the Onion Creek area of northern Stevens County. Officers found 178 marijuana plants near his home.

Louie A. Monsen, 38, was arrested for allegedly cultivating 178 plants at his home in the Kelly Hill area in the northwestern corner of the county.

Kelly L. LeMay, 35, of the Turk Mountain area near Hunters in the southeastern part of the county, was arrested after officers found 77 pot plants outdoors, 29 in a vehicle on his property and 132 plants in what officers described as a “sophisticated” indoor growing operation. Numerous weapons also were seized.

Sheriff Craig Thayer said his department is looking for Richard K. Klaus Jr., 46, of the Rice area. Officers want to question him about 142 marijuana plants found in three outdoor growing operations near his home. Thayer said a large amount of cash and growing equipment was seized from Klaus’ home and vehicles.

The sheriff said investigations are continuing, and he expects more arrests to result from the crackdown.

, DataTimes

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