Domestic dispute leads authorities to 400 marijuana plants in Powhatan

A domestic dispute between a husband and wife led Powhatan County deputies to about 400 mature marijuana plants concealed on the couple's property.

The husband, John Paul Russell Sr., 57, was charged with domestic assault and manufacturing marijuana at his home in the Little Fighting Creek subdivision in Powhatan. His wife, the alleged victim, told deputies about the marijuana, which was camouflaged with other plants behind a shed, authorities said.

"It's pretty significant grow operation when you get 400 plants," said Lt. Detective Kevin R. Wolfe of the Powhatan Sheriff's Office. "That's the most I've seen since I've been here, in 1996."

Police received a call just before 10 a.m. Sunday about a family member brandishing a weapon. When officers arrived, they learned that Russell's son, who lived elsewhere, had brandished a gun in response to the domestic fight between his parents, said Lt. Randy Stickels.

Russell's wife then informed deputies about the plants, Stickels said..

Wolfe said he didn't know how much marijuana the plants could produce. "We have not got the lab analysis back on it to give us that information," he said.

Wolfe declined to say whether investigators found any harvested marijuana inside the house. Deputies cut down the marijuana crop and placed it in storage as their investigation proceeds.

Russell was being held on $50,000 bond in the Powhatan Correctional Center in lieu of $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear tomorrow in Powhatan Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.