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City police looking for a runaway juvenile stumbled onto a marijuana “grow operation,” seized more than 40 pot plants and arrested two apartment house neighbors.
Mark W. Horner, 53, of the 100 block of South Street, faces counts of drug manufacturing, possession with intent to deliver, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed in lieu of $40,000 bond.
Joseph M. Bravo, 49, of an apartment in the same building, was charged with drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement. He was jailed in lieu of $20,000 bond.
The case began Friday evening when Officer Erin Kabler was asked by Adams Township police if he would check out a South Street apartment. A 17-year-old runaway was believed to be at the residence where Bravo and his son, Joseph J. Bravo, lived.
Kabler said in court papers he was unable to find a clearly marked address or entrance, and made his way up outside steps to the rear of the residence.
A man later identified as Joseph M. Bravo came to the door at Horner’s apartment.
“Who the ---- are you? Do you have a ------- warrant?” Bravo allegedly demanded.
Kabler asked the man if he was Joseph Bravo, and the man said no and provided a false name.
Kabler said he saw a marijuana pipe and numerous liquor bottles on the kitchen table and countertop. He said he was placing the man under arrest for possession of the pot pipe in clear view of the doorway.
As the officer was handcuffing Bravo, he heard other people moving about inside the residence and called for backup.
Officers secured the residence and began to talk with Horner, who said he wouldn’t answer any questions.
According to court papers, police “observed several marijuana plants in one room with lighting, a humidifier and other items used in the cultivation of marijuana. The windows to this room had thick foam board covering them.
“These affiants also observed an area which had thick reflective foil along the wall and stretched across a corner of the room. Behind the foil were numerous marijuana plants of various stages of growth. These plants were under large lights,” the complaint stated.
Pot also was found in a glass tank, where it apparently was being dried. Heat lamps, aquariums, dryers and plant food were among items seized after a search warrant was issued at the Kernville apartment.
Police said they had discovered a similar operation at a former address of Mark Horner.
Johnstown police Capt. Andrew Frear didn’t have a street value for the seized marijuana. He said Monday that the investigation is continuing.
Both Horner and Bravo were arraigned by on-call District Judge Michael Musulin. Their preliminary hearings before District Judge Leonard Grecek – scheduled for Thursday – likely will be postponed, court officials said.
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