Men charged in connection to theft, growing pot

EUSTIS — Two men were charged Thursday in connection to a theft of an all-terrain vehicle in Auburn and a marijuana growing operation in Eustis.

Andrew C. Sperry, 22, of New Gloucester and Ryan J. Tardif, 24, of Auburn were each arrested on one count each of theft by receiving stolen property and cultivating marijuana, Franklin County Sheriff Lt. Niles Yeaton said Friday.

The men were released from the county jail in Farmington on $500 cash bail. They are scheduled to appear at Farmington court on Nov. 20.

The Sheriff's Department received a call from a concerned citizen on Sept. 30 in reference to young males dismantling a cultivating operation in a shed, Yeaton said.

Deputies and a Maine Drug Enforcement agent responded. They talked with three people and began an investigation into the matter.

They seized a Polaris ATV that was used to enhance the growing operation, he said. The ATV was found to be stolen on July 31, 2008, from Auburn, he said.

They also seized a couple of mature marijuana plants outside of a rented camp and 59 smaller marijuana plants inside a shed on the property, he said.

Also seized were a 2005 Dodge Ram truck, a couple bags of plant stems and marijuana shake, grow lights, digital timer and other cultivation paraphernalia, Yeaton said.

The case is still under investigation by lead investigator, Deputy Ken Charles, and others may face charges.

dperry@sunjournal.com