By Bonnie Culverhouse
Ward 1 Deputy Marshal Marvin Garrett may not be a botanist, but he has an eye for plants.
According to Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker, Tuesday morning Garrett was serving civil papers in the 400 block of Scooter Roach Rd. when, from the driveway of the house, he spotted multiple suspected marijuana plants in the backyard.
“Deputy Garrett contacted WPSO Capt. Bobby Igo and Sgt. Josh McCormick and awaited their arrival at the residence,” Parker said. “After acquiring a search warrant, contact was made with the residents of the home – DeCarlos Sterling and Brittany Couch, who were not at home at the time.”
Parker said the residents arrived shortly after and were advised law enforcement was aware of the marijuana plants being grown outside the house.
“Sterling admitted to growing the plants, but Couch denied any knowledge of them,” Parker said. “The search warrant was then executed and approximately 50 potted marijuana plants were seized. Two of the plants were in the kitchen in a tent with a lighting device.”
Sterling, 34, and Couch, 38, were charged with cultivation of marijuana. Couch had a previous marijuana arrest.
“It’s still against the law here, and as long as it is, we’re not going to tolerate it,” said the sheriff.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
