When three suspects accused in a Hubbard County marijuana growing operation showed up Tuesday for their omnibus hearings, they were euphoric when County Attorney Don Dearstyne unexpectedly dropped all charges pending against them.
James B. Young, 67, Talora A. Smith, 62 and Tyler C. Englund, 47, of Park Rapids all faced felony drug charges in the May bust of a sophisticated operation near Two Inlets. Young and Smith were residing on the property.
The defendants and their attorneys left the Hubbard County District courtroom smiling.
Their euphoria was fleeting.
Waiting for them outside the doors were several U.S. Marshals, warrants and handcuffs in hand, who promptly arrested them,
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The three were promptly driven to Bemidji where they will be arraigned on federal drug charges. The secret grand jury indictment against them was unsealed.
The fourth defendant, Molly Riewer, 22 of Osage, pled guilty last month to a lesser charge of Fifth degree Possession and is awaiting sentencing.
To read more on the story, see Saturday's Enterprise.
