News & Columns > G.T. Houts > One Indoor Grow Suspect Pleads Guilty

One Indoor Grow Suspect Pleads Guilty

Case Dismissed Against Tiffany Chandler

By G.T. Houts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Update - Tuesday - 7:05 a.m.

Big Bear Lake, CA - Judge Jules Fleuret presided over the indoor grow case in Big Bear Superior Court yesterday and accepted a guilty plea from one suspect, dismissed the case against another and ordered a third to return to court tomorrow.

John Macias, 21, entered a plea of guilty to planting and/or cultivation of marijuana and had counts of possession of marijuana for sale and procession of a controlled substance dismissed.

Under terms of the plea bargain, Macias must complete a drug diversion program. After 18 months and proof of completion of the drug program, Macias may withdraw the guilty plea and have the final count dismissed.

Judge Fleuret dismissed charges against Tiffany Chandler, 20, and ordered Andrew Aaron Ward, 22, to return to court tomorrow, July 22, for a disposition-reset hearing. That hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Department H-1.

Big Bear Superior Court is located at 477 Summit Boulevard in Big Bear Lake. (Photo by San Bernardino County Superior Court.)

Original Story

Big Bear Lake, CA - Three indoor grow suspects return to Big Bear Superior Court today, July 20, at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-preliminary hearing.

Tiffany Chandler, 20, Andrew Aaron Ward, 22, and John Macias, 21, face charges of cultivation and Macias was also booked on felony charges for possession of a controlled substance.

A warrant search August 20, 2008 of a Sugarloaf residence resulted in the seizure of 93 marijuana plants and the arrest of numerous suspects.

The Big Bear Sheriff's Station conducted an extensive investigation that resulted in probable cause and a search warrant was issued for a home in the 700 block of Kern Avenue in Sugarloaf.

In addition to the 93 marijuana plants, deputies confiscated grow equipment and paraphernalia, plus a small amount of suspected Psilocybin (hallucinogenic mushrooms), found in the residence.

At the time of the initial arrests, department spokesperson Tiffany Swantek issued a media advisory. It stated, "The eradication of the substantial indoor grow has prevented drug sales in the estimated potential amount of $325,000."