State charges that were dismissed against two men in an alleged marijuana growing operation in Hermantown have been brought back to life in federal court.
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that Matthew Daniel Blank and Michael Larry King, both 23 from Hermantown, have been charged in U.S. District Court in St. Paul with one count each of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.
They're accused of conspiring to manufacture 50 or more marijuana plants at their residence at 3669 Haines Road between January and November of last year. They face a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
The St. Louis County Attorney's Office dismissed charges against the two men in February. It's not unusual in drug cases for state charges to be dismissed because local authorities seek federal prosecution, where convictions result in stiffer penalties.
The Hermantown growing operation was busted Nov. 3, when the St. Louis County Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at the men's residence. Deputies located 363 marijuana plants in various stages of growth.
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According to sheriff's investigators' reports, Blank said that he and King bought the house and started to grow marijuana as a way to pay their bills and "live life." He said they grew the marijuana for less than a year and sold it to friends.
When asked about the amount of marijuana sold, Blank said he and King kept "it under a felony amount" and would not sell an ounce or more. King said he sold a quarter-ounce for $80.
The defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances Sept. 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leo Brisbois in the Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building, U.S. Courthouse and Customhouse in Duluth.
