MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A marijuana compliance check in the Middletown area has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 84 marijuana plants.

Joseph Andrew Lamoureux, 26, of Middletown, was arrested as a result of the check, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, July 31, at approximately 1048 a.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force and Lake County Code Enforcement conducted a marijuana compliance check at an address on Sheveland Road in Middletown, Brooks said.

When detectives arrived they located 84 marijuana plants, which were growing outside, he said.

Detectives contacted the resident, Lamoureux, who said he was growing the marijuana for a collective based in the Los Angeles area and provided 16 medical recommendations for the detectives to review, according to Brooks.

Brooks said Lamoureux also said that he did not know any of the subjects listed on the recommendations, and he was unable to provide his own medical recommendation, stating it was at his attorney’s office being photocopied.  

The marijuana grow site was determined to be in violation of Lake County Ordinance No. 2977, an interim urgency marijuana cultivation ordinance the Board of Supervisors passed July 9. Brooks said all of the marijuana plants were eradicated.

Lamoureux was arrested for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Brooks said he was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.