Marijuana-growing operation ‘got out of control’ defendant allegedly told police
By Kellen Olshefski
SLN Staff
An Elkhorn resident has been sentenced in a marijuana growing operation busted last August and his wife is set to appear for a status conference on March 15.
Christopher Hass, 34 of Elkhorn, has been sentenced to a year in jail with Huber privileges and three years probation for one count of manufacturing and delivering THC, between 2,500-10,000 grams, and possession with intent to deliver, no more than 200 grams.
Hass pleaded guilty to one count each manufacturing and delivering THC and possession with intent to deliver on Feb. 8.
His wife, Michelle Kostuck-Hass, 38 of Elkhorn, has been charged with one count each of manufacturing and delivering THC, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kostuck-Hass faces up to $35,500 in fines and 16 years in jail.
According to the criminal complaint, Village of East Troy Police Chief Alan Boyes stopped Hass on I-43 on Aug. 15, 2012, at which time he noticed a strong odor of cannabis.
Boyes searched the vehicle and found a Walmart shopping bag containing two bags of marijuana on the floor behind the passenger seat, containing a combined 62 grams.
Boyes also discovered a syringe, metal spoon with burnt residue, and a sealed packet of Suboxone, a Schedule III prescription drug.
Search warrants were executed on the couple’s home at 7255 S. Woodpine Dr., Elkhorn, on Aug. 15, 2012, by area police departments at which time officers observed a marijuana growing operation in the basement with more than 75 potted plants in various stages of growth, according to the complaint.
The operation included growing rooms with lighting, ventilation systems, water, potting soil and other items used in the manufacturing of marijuana.
According to the complaint, Det. Matt Termaat of the Elkhorn police department also discovered two paper bags in the bedroom, containing a combined 144.6 grams of marijuana.
Kostuck-Hass was at the residence when area police departments executed the search warrants.
According to the complaint, she told Officer Jeff Price of the East Troy police department the couple began the operation in February or March of 2012 and it “got out of control.”
She said she had ordered the original seeds online and that she watered and provided lighting for the plants.
The complaint states she told Price her husband had constructed the growing rooms and they would sell the marijuana to friends for $250 per ounce.
Kostuck-Hass pleaded not guilty to the charges against her on Jan. 28.
