OCALA — Police responding to reports of a man found dead inside his Ocala residence on Friday afternoon stumbled upon a marijuana grow house upon their arrival.
In addition to finding a body inside the three-bedroom, one-bath residence at 2604 NE 15th Ave., police also said they found 56 marijuana plants in a northwest corner bedroom that apparently had been converted into a marijuana grow room.
Jesse Hampton Terrell had found his 56-year-old father, Larry Terrell, in the hallway in front of the bathroom and had notified police. He was charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Booked into the Marion County Jail, the younger Terrell was released Saturday at 3:18 a.m. on $4,500 bond.
According to officers, around 3:30 p.m. Friday, they were called to the home after the younger Terrell, who also lives there, came home and was unable to get in after trying to call his father. Forcing his way through a window, the man found his father dead and called the police.
When officers went to the home, they smelled a strong scent of marijuana. Authorities wanted to search the home. However, the younger Terrell refused to give them permission and told them they needed a search warrant.
Officers then called the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team – made up of Ocala police and Marion County sheriff's deputies – about their suspicions and obtained a search warrant.
Drug agents then went to the home, and inside, they found the plants in various growth stages, ranging from 3 ½-foot to 4-foot plants, some of which were ready for harvesting.
Officials described the grow house as fairly elaborate with lights, cooling fan and a water irrigation system that supported the plant growth.
Aside from the marijuana, officials said they seized two handguns, two assault weapons, a shotgun and cash.
From their investigation, drug agents said they believe that Terrell, 23, was involved in the drug operation and thus they arrested him. They say the investigation is ongoing.
As for Terrell's father, at this point, police don't suspect foul play. However, they're awaiting a toxicology report that would give a cause and manner of death.