Woman who grew marijuana gets probation

MANSFIELD — A North Lake Park resident charged with cultivating marijuana in 2014 was sentenced to three years probation and a $5,000 fine on Sept. 30.

Joann Eckstein, 51, of 288 Elmwood Drive, entered a guilty plea Aug. 5 in Richland County Common Pleas Court. She was sentenced on one count of possession of marijuana, a third-degree felony, on Sept. 30, according to the Richland County Prosecutor's Office.

Conditions of the sentencing included forfeiture of several firearms, money, grow lights and a Richland Bank account. She was fined $5,000. She also must make restitution to the Mansfield Police crime lab, according to court records

In November 2014, after numerous potted marijuana plants were seen on Eckstein's porch, the METRICH Enforcement Unit secured a warrant to search her home. They had received numerous complaints about drug activity in the area, according to a Mansfield police report.

During the search, officers uncovered a marijuana cultivation operation, the report said.

Marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia, a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun, other weapons, cash and other items associated with the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana were confiscated from her home, the report said.

Eckstein was initially charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and trafficking and cultivation of marijuana.

lwhitmir@nncogannett.com

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Twitter: @LWhitmir