COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An Avondale man caught growing $150,000 worth of marijuana in his backyard has been sentenced to two years of probation.
Gilberto Leon, 60, pleaded guilty last week to producing marijuana, court records show.
Cook County Judge Earl B. Hoffenberg sentenced Leon to two years of probation. He'll also have to pay $1,094 in court fees, according to county records.
1461 Tact Team searching for a burglar,3100 blk Kimball when they spot 11 cannabis plants in a yard. Owner arrested. pic.twitter.com/RIhpdXRBD6
— Chicago PD 14th Dist (@ChicagoCAPS14) August 9, 2015
Leon was arrested last summer when police looking for a burglar accidentally stumbled across 11 potted marijuana plants in Leon's yard in the 3000 block of North Kimball Avenue.
Officers had been called to the area after police received a 911 call that someone suspicious was walking through an alley and peeking into backyards, according to an arrest report.
Police hopped Leon's fence about 10 p.m. Aug. 8 and found his plants, valued at $150,000, records show.
As the officers investigated, Leon, who had apparently been inside his home, stepped outside and demanded: “What are you doing on my property?" the arrest report said.
Police then asked Leon to sign a search consent form, and searched his house and garage. No additional marijuana was found, police said.
Leon allegedly told police the plants were growing naturally in his yard because his friends sometimes smoke marijuana in the yard and the seeds must've spread, the arrest report said. Photos from the scene show that the marijuana was planted in pots of various sizes.
Leon allegedly told officers he didn't know it was illegal to grow marijuana.
Police began digging up plants and live-tweeted Leon's arrest about 11 p.m. Aug. 8.
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