Published: August 15, 2008 12:00 am            

Agents file pot cultivation charge

A man living in rural east Cleveland County has been charged with cultivating marijuana, after drug agents reportedly spotted plants growing on his land.

Larry Noel Kitchell, 52, was charged Friday with unlawful cultivation of marijuana.

According to an agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, agents Aug. 13 were notified of a residence east of Norman that appeared to have marijuana plants growing near a barn, spotted by an agent doing aerial reconnaissance in a helicopter with the Oklahoma Air National Guard as part of the OBNDD Domestic Eradication Program.

A short time later, agents went to the residence in the 12000 block of East Cedar Lane and reportedly saw plants growing in a garden area. Agents said Kitchell arrived at the residence and gave agents the right to search the property. Inside, agents said they found about half a pound of dried and processed marijuana and several firearms.

Kitchell allegedly told agents during an interview that he'd been smoking marijuana since he was 19, and had been cultivating plants for two years because he got tired of purchasing marijuana for personal use. Kitchell said he didn't distribute marijuana and only smoked it on Friday and Saturday nights, agents said.

Other felonies filed Friday include:

· Daryl Shawn Stockdale, 37, Lexington, unlawful possession of marijuana;

· Rockney Aaron Sloan, 30, Moore, attempting to obtain a controlled dangerous substance by fraud;

· Melissa Ann Cano, 29, Norman, unlawful possession of controlled dangerous drugs;

· Shane Mikal Lorance, 29, Jones, omitting to provide for a child.

        

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