Mariposa County search yields marijuana, guns, arrest

Authorities with the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, Mariposa County Probation Department and Yosemite National Park Special Response Team confiscated marijuana, cash and guns and arrested a man during an investigation into an illegal marijuana growing ring.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, agents served search warrants at four homes, all located in the Lake Don Pedro/Coulterville area of Mariposa County, on Thursday.

Sheriff’s detectives investigating a residential burglary found the marijuana activity, authorities said.

“Investigation into the marijuana determined that several homes were possibly involved and that the individuals involved were selling to a medical marijuana dispensary in a different county,” the release said. “This is a violation of Mariposa County ordinance and also state and federal law.”

Agents found evidence at three homes indicating marijuana had been grown there, but the plants had been removed. At the fourth home, in the 10000 block of Jasmin Way, deputies found more than 300 live marijuana plants inside the home and six outside. They also collected roughly 10 pounds of processed marijuana and $4,000 cash.

“Additional evidence items were also collected during the search of the four homes, which consisted of five handguns, multiple indoor grow lights, multiple smoking devices, scales and tools used for processing marijuana,” according to the release. Authorities arrested Cody Stotts, 27, of Coulterville on charges of cultivation of marijuana and possession with intent to sell.

This story was originally published August 28, 2015 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Mariposa County search yields marijuana, guns, arrest."