By Kelsey Givens
Police were called “terrorists” and “harassers” last week as they raided a home for a second time this year, finding close to 80 marijuana plants growing inside.
Alan Edward Picone, 52, was arrested on Dec. 7 for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, maintaining a residence for the purpose of narcotics, conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and unlawful use of a controlled substance after 79 marijuana plants were found growing inside his home.
Charges are also being sought against his wife Kelly Picone, 41, for possessing marijuana with intent to sell, maintaining a residence for narcotics and conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act as well.
According to a declaration of arrest in the case, a narcotics detective received a search warrant last Friday for Alan and Kelly’s home, located at 1511 Princeton Circle, in reference to a marijuana cultivation operation.
When police arrived at the address to serve the search warrant and investigate, Alan allegedly answered the door and immediately began screaming at police that they were “terrorists” and “harassers,” claiming that his entire operation was legal and that it was for his own personal use.
Alan, however, also reportedly admitted to officers during their investigation that no one in the home possessed a medical marijuana card.
During their search, deputies found a total of 79 marijuana plants, some as tall as four feet and in the budding stage, along with a large quantity of packaged and finished marijuana inside the residence.
And this wasn’t the first time the Picones have been charged with cultivating marijuana at that address this year either.
On April 20, two deputies on routine patrol on David Street noticed a strong odor of what they believed to be marijuana coming from the intersection of David Street and Princeton Circle around 10:30 a.m.
As the two got out of their patrol cars to further investigate the smell, they discovered the Picone’s residence with its front door wide open and a very strong odor of marijuana coming from inside.
After Alan allegedly allowed the deputies into his home, they discovered more than 40 pounds of marijuana inside.
Alan allegedly told the deputies at that time that he was the only person in the home who smoked the marijuana, but that he also sometimes fed it to his dogs.
While it appeared that Alan and Kelly were very cooperative during the last raid of their residence, a detective noted in his report that during the current investigation, Alan was “extremely uncooperative,” calling officers names and telling them they didn’t know the law.
The declaration also noted, however, that Alan continued to confess intimate details of his involvement with the grow operation as he insulted the officers.
Alan was subsequently placed under arrest for the marijuana found in his home and transported to the Nye County Detention Center to be booked into custody.
Though Kelly was not home at the time of the raid, police believe there is probably cause to charge her for her involvement in the cultivation operation as well. Charges against her will be submitted to the district attorney’s office for further action in this case.
Since his arrest, Alan has posted bail and been released from custody. He has also reportedly taken responsibility for his part in the marijuana grow operation, according to a press release issued by the sheriff’s office.
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- Alan Picone
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- Special to the Pahrump Valley Times – Police seized almost 80 mature pot plants from a home at 1511 Princeton Circle last week. The residents had already been busted once in April for cultivating marijuana. The suspect called police “terrorists.”
WE DON’T NEED TO ASK WHAT THIS GUY HAS BEEN SMOKIN
Why are Pahrump criminals so stupid ? Why can’t we have smart criminals like other towns ? Are there signs on the highway that direct these losers to our town ? If you confess to the crime while you are in the process of being arrested it sort of takes all the fun out of the arrest process. We pay a lot of money to recruit and train our deputies, and if you just roll over and play dead it makes them feel like they haven’t earned their pay.
A few words of advice for our slow witted criminals; (1) if you are going to smoke weed at least close your door (2) if you are going to repeat the same crime before you have even been to court on the first crime, at least do it in a different location (3) make the cops work for a confession, it helps their self esteem, and will make your lawyers job easier.
It is so embarrassing having stupid criminals.
Why don’t all these potheads move to Colorado where they will be welcomed?
My guess is at least 2-3 of you voted for Obama right? To agramma and Over the hump: You sound like school yard bullies. Or you are just plain ol’ stupid. Just so you know, Obama announced today that States that have legalized the recreational use of Marijuana and those who choose to use it will not become targets and hunted down by the DEA . This will open more doors to not only decriminalization but a united legalization of Marijuana. I am also pretty sure you know that Nevada is a medical marijuana state that has a very good shot at also becoming legal for recreational use. That is because “WE” want to stop this insane war on Pot. The State has some issues to work out for dispensing it to LEGAL Medical Marijuana patients, like this guy that you are taking cheap shots at. Our law allows individuals to grown and use it. Over the hump you stated that it’s embarrassing to have stupid criminals in Pahrump and that” WE” pay a lot of money to recruit and train law enforcement. Personally i think your use of the word criminal in association with this arrest shows that you are a poorly informed, narrow minded individual. Hence stupid. You must have missed the part when “WE” legalized the medical use of weed. Unfortunately law enforcement here is so eager to fill up and justify this new 21M jail with “criminals” (just take a look at this weeks DA’s report to see what i am talking about) that they might have missed that part of the laws too.
Obama did NOT say that they would not become targets. California has had the same law for years and DEA routinely moves in and arrests owners of medical pot stores many times a year. Obama did not rescind the law and the DEA will enforce the current federal law on pot. Do not be surprised if DEA swoops in and grabs the growers and distribution. If you are in violation of the law, then you are a criminal! You may not like the word, but you just earned it.
Driving under the influence of pot, booze, pills, etc., is a crime and I certainly do not want you out on the highway with me or my family. As a LEO, I look forward in finding you and will cut you no breaks for this, as most of my brethren will not either.
Happy Holidays -
You know that sounds an awful lot like a threat and to be honest with you it makes me uncomfortable. You are insinuating that you are local law enforcement and saying “you look forward to finding me” (insinuating you are looking for me) sounds more vigilante than peace keeper. With that said it makes it all the more important for you to watch and hear what Obama told Barbra Walters on ABC. Here is a link for you http://www.news.yahoo.com/recreational-marijuana-not-top-federal-priority-obama-142811335.html
In the mean time i will be watching my back and beware of you and your LEO brethren, whatever that is supposed to mean. I know that if my county TAXES are going to recruit,train and employ such self important individuals brazen enough to publicly say that the State laws are of no consequence than there are much deeper issues within your hard line beliefs. Maybe you should reconsider public service or get some sensitivity training.
Ditto-
I totally agree with you that it is not a TOP priority and hasn’t been unless there was growing and distribution. I am not a local LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), but a Federal LEO. If you personally felt threatened, I apologize. However, to clarify my statement – it is against the Federal law to possess any amount of “pot.” States can and have legalized the possession and use of personal “pot.” States rights do not trump federal law! Should the U S Attorney, in NV, have us enforce this “Pot” law, you can and will be arrested. Continuing – If the same U S Attorney tells state & local LEO to enforce this, they have no say. If they don’t, then they are guilty of failure to enforce a federal law.
Again, if happen chance we are to have contact with you while you are driving under the influence (DUI), you to get treated the same as driving drunk (DUI w/ .08). But if you are growing or selling this stuff, then continue to look over your shoulder because NCSO, NHP & DEA will become your best friend!
Sir, Clarification of your primary comment was not necessary. After reading you response a few times and giving you the benefit of the doubt because of your apology . I realized you were just “matter -of-facting” me, not apologizing. You apologized because you realize that as a Federal employee if your boss knew you were making a public threat to a private citizen there may be consequences. So, you throw out a “hey i’m sorry and end with ” continue to look over your shoulder” …Oh well . On topic. Please know i am not under the impression that State law “trumps” Federal law. I am also aware of the legal drinking limit. What i do need clarification on is, you said that if the NCSO and the NDPS don’t or won’t cooperate with Federal LEO’s that they can be prosecuted? Does that mean that the registration process that a Medical Marijuana Patient does to be “legal” in the State’s eyes is given to Federal agents or DEA ? Because the State claims confidentiality. Are you saying that if NCSO comes across someone growing weed that they have to turn them over for federal prosecution? or does the local DA pick and choose which cases warrant federal prosecution? What if the grower has a doctors recommendation or is registered with the States MMP? The comments regarding this States laws and and making the public servants out to be little more than stoolies for the Feds is just wrong and it really shows just how out of control the Government is..
@puzzle1
In the case of Mr. Picone, this arrest makes his second felony. If he doesn’t already have a prior, it won’t be long before he gets his third . He will get sentenced as a habitual criminal and will spend most of the rest of his life in the slammer.
@Michael
It doesn’t matter what Obama or the DEA do. ANY DA in the country can file federal drug charges. Even if a state were to LEGALIZE weed a DA can still bring federal charges.
In the states of Washington and Colorado, this is akin to shutting down the Ice Cream man or local hot dog vendor. In the minds of most here, they think pot is a recreational drug and about as harmless as a cup of coffee.
I don,t smoke the stuff,but jezz people,why is this country so worried about POT,look at your T.V.screen,and COUNT all the alcohol commercials a day,that were all subjected too,look at ALL the alcohol related fatalities across this country everyday due to drinking.It seems like there is NO FUN in this world unless you have a drink in your hand,BUT OMG!! don,t light up that joint my friend.(that,s bad)I still have not heard of car crashes,due to pot use.People understand,the only reason pot is not legal,is due to the fact:we can,t TAX IT..Somebody has to get a piece of the pie………
@davey
You have been seeing alcohol ads on TV you say ? You must have a really old TV.
Amazing how that works!
What,s with you (over the hump) is this YOUR blog site.Your on it every week,and you sound like a smart ….Are you an alcoholic,or nothing better to do,except belittle people….
Ad Hominem perhaps?
@Michael – 12/16/12
The “medical marijuana” card is issued be the local police and/or county sheriff. The possession of that card does NOT protect you from criminal arrest. It is ALWAYS the prevue of the Federal government whether it will “honor” this illegal possession. Possessing this card, can allow LEO to “look-the-other-way.” This medical card relieves the local LEO to “cite & release” in lieu of “arrest & jail.” As a courtesy to local LEO, we would not supersede the local LEO. However, growing more than you have been allowed to, selling any amount will always have us asking if this should fall under Federal violation or not. Another note – Should you be unfortunate to be stopped or come in contact with a DUI check point and the Feds are there, they can “arrest & jail’” but usually will allow the local LEO to use their discretion.
I have served search and arrest warrants for medical marijuana dispensaries. Nye county pass an ordinance for the operation of a dispensary, collect license fees, regulate where the business can operate from, etc., but we are ordered to, will will shut it down and arrest the owner for possessing and sales of a restricted drum under DEA guideline. The irony is that local LEO’s will accompany us on those raids.
And one other point – The local DA can choose to prosecute or not, under any rational reason. But the NV U S Attorney can look at the same case and file Federal charges even if the local DA declines. People think that just because they possess a medical marijuana card that it is a “get-out-of-jail free card.
Hopes this clarifies some concerns.
Marijuana, killing the motivation of Americans one joint at a time. Marijuana, numbing the minds of our youth and letting down the defenses to whatever assaults it. Marijuana, killing the inhibition of our conscience. Marijuana, escaping the reality of life.
“so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”
You are so incredibly biased and un-educated! I’ve been studying and researching mental illness for over 20 years now and have been on numerous and useless psychotropic drugs ( SSRI’S, MAOI’S etc.), and I’m here to tell you and the LEO’s that are dumbasses, that marijuana is the ONLY drug that keeps my depression at bay, kills my anorexia, stops my crying over the ghosts of my past abuses and makes me mellow and completely harmless. Prone to violent and self-mutilating behaviors, I have no desire WHATSOEVER to hurt anyone, including myself, or do something youall consider moronic, like driving a car while high, etc. Pot helps me to cope and deal with the five (5) mental illness diagnoses so generously given to me by my past abusers. Do some damn research for your “sheeple” self before you jump on the Followers’ bandwagon! I am still a very responsible, mature(unlike “anti-pot” people) highly intelligent and loving, giving female and will continue to choose marijuana over ANY “prescribed” psychotropic drug that can harm my internal organs or turn me into a person who might harm others.