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Sunday, February 17, 2019

Suspended Sentence For Growing Pot

SNOW HILL — One of two local men indicted last fall in a vast, sophisticated marijuana-growing operation pleaded guilty this week to one count and was sentenced to 18 months, all of which was suspended.

John Harrison, 31, of Berlin, was indicted by a Worcester County grand jury on multiple counts including possession of over 10 grams of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to manufacture marijuana after the execution of a search and seizure warrant revealed a vast pot-growing operation on a property just north of Berlin. On Wednesday, Harrison pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to manufacture charge and the other counts against him were not prosecuted.


Prosecutors requested an 18-month sentence for Harrison with all but 30 days suspended. However, a visiting Worcester County Circuit Court judge sentenced him to 18 months, all of which was suspended. He was also placed on supervised probation for two years. Harrison’s co-defendant in the case, Michael Cluster, 33, also of Berlin, faces the same charges. Cluster is scheduled to appear for trial on March 12.

Last Sept. 18, local law enforcement agencies including the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, with the assistance of the Ocean City Police Department Narcotics Unit, executed search and seizure warrants at various locations throughout Worcester County following an investigation into a suspected marijuana growing operation. The search warrants yielded multiple seizures of evidentiary value including a sophisticated marijuana growing operation at a location along Route 113 north of Berlin near the defunct Beach Club golf course.

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23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gee, what a surprise. Wouldn't play that way for the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

Only because his dad is Hal Harrison owner of the harbor watch. This thug had a whole lot of plants. Messed up how the good old boy network works.

Anonymous said...

I think it's interesting that they brought in a visiting judge to hear the case. I guess that's so no one could accuse the local officials I'm taking care of the good old boys

Anonymous said...

What? Appears to be some very obvious hanky panky in worcester county. As a white middle aged woman I wonder what the outcome would have been if they were inner city black men.

Billy Bob said...

And, one of the Good Ole' Boys" walk..Such BS!!

Anonymous said...

What's the line between sophisticated and unsophisticated?

Anonymous said...

Double standard? In Worcester County? I'm shocked.

Steve said...

In a time when marijuana is being grown "legally" inside large warehouse buildings, I would find it difficult as a juror to call anyone else growing the same plant in the same county guilty of anything besides failure to buy a license, which is stupid in the first place.

Anonymous said...

A "sophisticated" "vast pot growning operation" yields more than 10oz. That's less than one plant.

Anonymous said...

I mean grams

Anonymous said...

You idiots always have invoke race... it’s about money and nothing else

Anonymous said...

It all depends who you are & who you know. Daddy's little boy never did anything wrong................

Anonymous said...

With legalization it has become a classic protection racket. If you don’t pay us (license) we send armed men to destroy your property and fine you and take your freedom.

Anonymous said...

The law in Maryland is you can not possess more than 10 grams.

Anonymous said...

way to go worcester! the fix was in before the judge was sent down here! he just made it official.
but yeah at most should have been failure to obtain a license!

Anonymous said...

I bet the co-defendant doesn't make out as well

Anonymous said...

Only the older generation is holding on tight to marijuana prohibition. It won't be long and we will see the end of it across the entire country. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

The one good thing to come out of this is some of the equipment seized, worth about $100,000, will be donated to Worcester Technical School, ironically enough, to the Agricultural program.

Anonymous said...

10:45. Exactly!

Anonymous said...

It just shows to go ya! It's who you know and how much green you can part with. When money talks, judges listen.

DelMarVaDave said...

Hail Ceasar, Hail Hitler, Hail Harrison!

Anonymous said...

Cannibas cultivation and craft brewing techniques should be taught at the tech school. They are part of the new American economy.

Anonymous said...

*John Harrison not Hale Harrison. Sorry.