The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office would like to express its sincere gratitude to the private non-profit organization Secret Witness and the citizens of Washoe County who provide information anonymously to help solve crimes.

On Saturday, September 17, 2011, the Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous Secret Witness tip reporting people in the 5400 block of Slope Drive in Sun Valley were growing large amounts of marijuana plants on their property.

Deputies responded to the residence and in their initial approach acknowledged a strong distinct odor of marijuana coming from the property. In plain view, Deputies also observed a large marijuana plant growing near a chicken coop which was next to the dwelling. Deputies made contact with the property owner, Alan Jones – 48 years old Bk#11-16459, who gave Deputies consent to search the property. During the search, Deputies found three more mature marijuana plants and a storage shed filled with 10 additional harvesting plants. Three other adults residing on the property were also contacted; Leslie Alexander – 45 years old Bk#11-16461, Cody Morse – 20 years old Bk#11-16460, and Kirsten Jones – 18 years old Bk#11-16462. Fifteen smoking pipes with marijuana residue were seized as well. The plants and paraphernalia were transported and booked into evidence too.

All four suspects were arrested and transported to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility, where they were each booked for felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, felony Possession of Marijuana, felony Cultivating Marijuana, and misdemeanor Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Each arrestee’s bail has been set at $6,305.

The Sheriff’s Office reports the 14 plants seized could have potentially yielded as much as 14 pounds of illicit product. This would equal an approximate street value of $60,000. We encourage the public to continue utilizing Secret Witness as an avenue for community members who wish to provide anonymous information to local law enforcement agencies. To learn more about Secret Witness, go to their website: http://www.secretwitness.com/