MATTAPOISETT POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE
20 FEBRUARY 2015
HOUSE FIRE LEADS TO NARCOTICS CHARGES
Wednesday February 18, 2015 at approximately 8:15am the Mattapoisett Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to 87 County Road Mattapoisett for a house fire. During the course of extinguishing the fire, firefighters came upon a room on the second floor that appeared to be a grow room for marijuana. Detective Craig Leblanc who was on scene was advised of the discovery. Once it was safe to enter the home, Detective Leblanc was brought into the home by the firefighters and directed to the second floor. Detective Leblanc observed approximately twelve marijuana plants on the floor. He also observed several large aluminum curtains on the floor. Inside the closet in this room, Detective Leblanc observed that the walls in the closet were wrapped with aluminum curtain material. Several heating lamps were observed hanging from the ceiling through the open closet door. Detective Leblanc was advised that additional marijuana was found in the attic. Detective Leblanc went up in the attic and observed a small pile of dried marijuana on the floor next to a melted fan. The attic appeared to be used as the drying room for the cultivation of the marijuana.
Detective Leblanc spoke with Mr. Wildnauer regarding the marijuana cultivation. Mr. Wildnauer was unable to produce proper legal documents permitting him to possess or cultivate marijuana.
It was clear that the number of plants exceeded the allowable number of plants a person with the proper documentation is allowed to grow. A total of thirty four plants were seized along with drug paraphernalia. Items used to grow and produce the marijuana plants along with two rifles were also seized.
The investigation as to the cause of the fire is ongoing.
As the result of the investigation, Paul Wildnauer, 54 and Jill Jarvis, 60 of 87 County Road Mattapoisett are charged with Class D cultivating and possession with intent to manufacture Marijuana.
Mary R. Lyons
Chief of Police
