Court Gun Bust Leads Deputies To Pot Grow

Grant Thomas Being Held On $500,000 Bail

POSTED: 12:52 pm PST January 13, 2010

UPDATED: 1:11 pm PST January 13, 2010

Grant Thomas, 29, is facing gun charges after a deputy saw him drop a handgun and then put it back in his waistband before walking into the Washington County Justice Court at about 3:30 p.m., said Sgt. David Thompson of the Washington County Sheriff's Office in a news release.

Deputies said they quietly notified the judge to clear the courtroom and then took Thomas into custody without incident.

He was armed with a loaded .45-caliber handgun, detectives said, and does not have a concealed handgun permit.

Deputies determined Thomas had more guns in his car along with evidence of a marijuana grow, Thompson said.

Thomas has a valid Oregon medical marijuana card, but a search of his house revealed he was growing more plants than the law allows, deputies said.

Detectives said they seized 44 pot plants from the house, but left 24 plants -- the amount allowed under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act.

Another handgun was also seized from the suspect's house, deputies said, in addition to a loaded AR-10 .308-caliber assault rifle from his car.

Thomas is being held at the Washington County Jail on $500,000 bail.

Deputies said he is facing charges of possession of a firearm in court, unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

Charges related to the marijuana grow are forthcoming, Thompson said.

LINK TO PHOTO:

http://www.kptv.com/news/22228475/detail.html#