Cortland County deputies accuse man of eating pot leaves to destroy evidence

Charley Hannagan

The Post-Standard

October 14, 2009, 6:59AM

Willet, NY--Cortland County sheriff’s deputies Sunday arrested a father and son after they found 116 marijuana plants growing in the son’s home.

Deputies say the son tried to eat some of the evidence.

Deputies accuse Jeremy L. Wheeler, 29, of 323 Fish Hill Road, Willet, of tampering with physical evidence, unlawfully growing marijuana and resisting arrest. His father, William J. Wheeler, 51, of 6090 Rt. 26, Whitney Point, is accused of unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful growing of marijuana.

Deputies said more charges are pending.

Both were released on tickets to appear in the Town of Willet Court at a later date.

Here’s what police said happened.

At 10:30 p.m. Sunday deputies arrived at Jeremy L. Wheeler’s home and confronted him about growing marijuana. Wheeler was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Deputies found the suspect’s father, William J. Wheeler, inside a marijuana growing room in the house.

Deputies found 116 marijuana plants, several pieces of marijuana paraphernalia, a loaded gun and a large amount of cash.

Deputies then took the Wheelers to the Sheriff’s Department for booking. As deputies were bringing the marijuana plants into the building, Jeremy Wheeler took some leaves off one of the marijuana plants and ate them.