News Staff Report
An Atmore man remained in the county jail this week after sheriff’s officers found marijuana growing in a pot on the front porch of his Martinville Loop Road home.
According to Escambia County Detention Center records, 32-year-old John Michael Rangel is being held under a $100,000 bond on two felony charges, manufacturing a controlled substance and first-degree possession of marijuana.
Sheriff’s reports indicate that officers discovered the pot on September 29, growing in a pot on the front porch of Rangel’s residence.
No mention was made of how many marijuana plants were found, but Alabama Criminal Code allows for such a charge if the pot is being grown within 500 feet of a residence, business, church or school, which was listed on the warrant as being the case.
First-degree possession can be charged if the amount of marijuana confiscated was more than could be considered for personal use, which is a Class C felony, or if the pot was for personal use but the offender has a previous conviction for possession of marijuana, which would make it a Class D felony.