Zachary Pierson
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Scott Foster
Two
men arrested last Thursday in connection with a large-scale marijuana growing
operation at the intersection of South Eighth Street and South Grand Avenue
were arraigned Monday and remain in the Sangamon County jail.
Scott
Foster, 31, and Zachary Pierson, 36, each are being held in lieu of $200,000
bond. Foster has been charged with two counts of manufacture and/or
delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis, production of more than 200 cannabis
plants and conspiracy. Pierson faces six charges, including manufacture and/or
delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis plants, possession of cannabis, conspiracy,
aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and armed violence.
Dan
Fultz, Pierson’s lawyer, said that defendants in drug cases do not need to display or fire weapons in order to be charged. Prosecutors, he said, can file charges of armed
violence against defendants in drug cases if defendants are alleged to be
possession of firearms while also in possession of illegal drugs.
Foster
and Pierson each face maximum sentences of 30 years if convicted as charged.
They would not be eligible for probation.
Foster
and Pierson were arrested after police served a search warrant last week at a former dry
cleaning shop that faces one of the city’s busiest streets. Although the building
is boarded up and appears vacant, monthly utility bills since January have
averaged $1,340, according to City Water, Light and Power.
Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Nov 30 – Dec 6, 2017.
