FARMINGTON — A Jay man pleaded guilty Tuesday to growing more than 100 marijuana plants at his residence on Purington Road in March 2010.

Justice Michaela Murphy sentenced Steven J. Knockwood, 36, in Franklin County Superior Court to serve 30 days of a two-year sentence, and upon his release to serve one year on probation.

He also was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

In the plea agreement with the state, charges of illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of scheduled drug was dismissed in exchange for the guilty plea to felony cultivating marijuana.

If the case had gone to trial, Assistant District Attorney Andrew Robinson said testimony would have been heard from a Maine Drug Enforcement agent that a search warrant was gained to enter Knockwood’s mobile home, located near the intersection of Jay Hill Road.

The agent would testify that marijuana was located inside the home and outside, Robinson said.

Drug Enforcement Agency Supervisor Gerry Baril said last year that agents and Jay police seized 117 live marijuana plants growing in rooms in Knockwood’s mobile home. Police had received information about a possible indoor cultivation operation, Baril said at the time.

Of the plants found, 97 were budding under high-pressure sodium lights in one room and in a second room, 20 small, freshly cloned, live seedlings and 14 other seedlings that were dried out were found, Baril said previously.

Outside in the yard, there were remnants of a previous harvest of 30 potted marijuana plants, he had said.

Defense attorney Woody Hanstein requested a stay of execution to serve the 30 days until March 14. This would allow him to continue to help take care of his parents and get them through the really cold weather, Hanstein said.

Hanstein also pointed out for the record that Knockwood now has a medical marijuana card and it is valid.

dperry@sunjournal.com