A Gamaliel man, Tom Sedlacek, who operated what was described as an elaborate marijuana growing operation on his property, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
He faces drug and weapons charges. Sedlacek’s attorney, Ben Burnett, filed a waiver of arraignment last month and asked the court to enter a not guilty plea on behalf of his client.
The 58-year-old Sedlacek was picked up Aug. 28th in the annual marijuana eradication program conducted by a number of agencies.
Officers came to the Sedlacek property along Crystal Oaks Trail in Gamaliel, after trained marijuana spotters in a helicopter observed numerous cultivated marijuana plants. Many of the plants were located along what was described as a shooting range, with multiple targets located alongside the plants. The range was located where targets could be shot from the back door and back porch of the residence.
In addition, a four-story structure described as a lookout tower equipped with shooting rails, from which the entire property could be seen, was located near the residence.
A number of handmade and commercially produced signs were located by officers, all warning if anyone entered the property, they would be shot.
Officers made a tactical sweep of the property in an effort to locate and detain Sedlacek. As the lawmen were clearing the area, they reported hearing a chime-like sound. The sound proved to be a driveway alarm triggered when a person or vehicle approached.
A building with exhaust fans running was found during the clearing operation.
When it was deemed reasonably safe for the officers, they backed off and obtained a search warrant for the entire property, including the Sedlacek residence.
At one point, Sedlacek returned to his property and was taken into custody. He requested an attorney and was not questioned. However, according to the probable cause affidavit, Sedlacek did talk to officers without being questioned and is alleged to have said he had been growing marijuana since 1992.
He also said he had more than 20 firearms inside the house — at least one of them being an illegally modified weapon. In addition, Sedlacek said he had a quantity of prescription pills in his house he could use for currency if necessary.
According to the affidavit, Sedlacek said he had problems with his neighbors stealing his marijuana crop and referred to them using racial slurs. He said he planned on “taking care” of the neighbors later in the year. He said the neighbors “didn’t deserve to be on this planet,” and added, “I probably don’t either for that matter.”
Sedlacek told officers if he carried out his threats against the neighbors, “I know it would mean my life, too, but it would be worth it.”
When the search warrant was obtained, officers entered the residence and found 24 firearms, including a sawed off 12-gauge shotgun with a homemade pistol grip, which is classified as a prohibited weapon.
Also listed as being found on the property were numerous items of drug paraphernalia, several large plastic bags containing thousands of marijuana seeds and 562 prescription pills, including Methadone and Oxycodone.
Part of the marijuana growing operation was found in an outbuilding. It contained eight mature marijuana plants, as well as grow lights, an air filtration system, fertilizer and pots.
In all, approximately 30-40 marijuana plants in various stages of maturity were found on the property.
Sedlacek’s charges include manufacturing a controlled substance, simultaneous possession of weapons and drugs, criminal use of a prohibited weapon, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. He is free on $50,000 bond.
The agencies participating in the marijuana eradication effort in Baxter County were the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Army National Guard, Arkansas State Police, 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI