An Ohio University janitor pleaded not guilty to cultivating 12 marijuana plants at his Athens residence.
Phillip W. Bell, 41, pleaded not guilty to one count of cultivation of marijuana at his arraignment hearing Thursday at Athens County Municipal Court.
University spokeswoman Katie Quaranta confirmed that Bell is an OU employee in Custodial Services. He made $37,000 last year.
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant Monday at Bell’s Bean Hollow Road residence.
The team found and seized 12 cultivated marijuana plants, several containers of processed and dried marijuana, scales, distribution bags, pipes, a marijuana drying stage and other drug paraphernalia. The officers also seized three firearms and $2,457 in cash, according to court documents.
Bell was charged with a second-degree felony charge of cultivation of marijuana because of a child being present. Bell’s adult daughter and her infant child were at the residence when the search warrant was executed.
The sheriff’s office discovered the marijuana after Deputy Brad Jeffers received information about a possible growing operation and Detective Jim Heater drove past the residence and saw marijuana on the front porch, said Sheriff Pat Kelly.
The team also found chemicals with an OU label and a set of master keys to OU at the residence, Kelly said.
Bell was transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. His bond was set at $25,000 with 10 percent allowed, according to court documents.
Bell could be sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000 if convicted of his charge at trial, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Bell is due back in court at 2 p.m. Oct. 19 for a preliminary hearing.
ml147009@ohiou.edu
