FROM THE BLOTTER: Mother-son team arrested on drug charges

By Frontiersman staff
Published on Thursday, February 4, 2010 7:13 PM AKST

WASILLA — Alaska State Troopers announced Wednesday that a marijuana growing operation found off of Church Road yielded about 16 pounds of weed.  According to a trooper press statement, officers with the Mat-Su Narcotics Team and the National Guard’s Counter Drug Support Program served a search warrant at 3345 N. Church Road at 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday.

Investigator Mike Ingram wrote in an affidavit he filed that when troopers arrived they saw a man and a woman apparently taking down a marijuana grow. Both had little pieces of marijuana sticking to them, he wrote. The man was drenched in sweat.

Those two people were identified by troopers as Jane C. Cain, 51, of Wasilla, and her son, Katsuhige C. Lewis, 29, of Palmer.

“Ms. Cain (declined) to speak with me directly, but did make some random statements in the presence of investigators that she was responsible for what we found in the house. Mr. Lewis only spoke with me for a short period of time and did tell me that he did not live there, but was only there to help his mother,” Ingram wrote.

Troopers say they searched the home and turned up several trash bags stuffed with marijuana that had recently be cut down. Ingram writes that the fact that the plants had been cut down presented something of a conundrum.

The bags weighed 94.54 pounds, but the weed was still wet. In theory, he said, investigators would probably consider the marijuana “processed” since it had been harvested. But when investigators find live plants, they usually cut the plants down, weigh them, and divide that weight by six. Applying that standard to the bags of weed yields an estimated processed weight of 15.75 pounds.

Cain and Lewis were both arrested and charged with multiple counts each of drug misconduct. Both were jailed at the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on $30,000 bail. Jail records show both have made bail.

Woman hit at

Wasilla intersection

WASILLA — A pedestrian was hospitalized with minor injuries after she was hit by a car Monday.

According to a Wasilla Police Department press release, Jean Wolfe, 63, of Wasilla, was hit at the corner of Knik-Goose Bay Road and Parks Highway at about 7:30 a.m.

Police say Wolfe was taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center with injuries they descried as minor.

They identified the driver who hit Wolfe as William Prater, 39, of Wasilla.

Firefighters save

burning home

PALMER — In what officials have called a “good save,” firefighters were able to contain a blaze in a home off of Smith Road to the room it started in.

The call to respond to the home on Byers Circle came shortly after 4 p.m. Firefighters arriving on scene quickly learned that no one was inside the house.

Palmer Fire Chief John McNutt said the blaze started in a room in the rear of the home, near a hot tub. He said investigators haven’t decided on a source for the fire.

He said firefighters went into the house to put out the flames, but also attacked it from outside.

“The crews did an excellent job,” McNutt said. “They went around back because they couldn’t get to the room easily and they had to trudge through some pretty deep snow to get there but they did an outstanding job.”

The borough’s deputy director of emergency services, Clint Vardeman, said the fire was contained within about 20 minutes of firefighters arriving on scene.

Comments

36 comment(s)

    Snowb. wrote on Feb 16, 2010 1:26 PM:

    " Of course the cops busted her, it was an easy bust. Wasilla cops are lazy and worthless and ONLY bust easy targets. There is NOTHING wrong with smoking pot or selling it to people who like to smoke a bowl and chill in the evenings. I am a friend of Katsu and hope the judge has mercy. "

    Ira wrote on Feb 16, 2010 11:48 AM:

    " These are the risks involved if your gonna make a living off selling illegal substances. You are ignorant to blame anyone else for katsu's current situation. "

    NO DOPE PLEASE wrote on Feb 15, 2010 1:35 PM:

    " They need to be prayed for!! I also pray they will not be allowed to sell drugs to our kids ever again. Let them grow weed and what will it be next they are putting on the streets for our kids? "

    Uncle Jed wrote on Feb 11, 2010 3:05 AM:

    " I am sad to see good folk getting harassed for growing the ganja. In the future when weed is legal, stories like this will be like alcohol prohibition stories we hear today. It's unnecessary and ridiculous. "

    Old Lady wrote on Feb 10, 2010 7:25 PM:

    " Good Luck Katsu and Jane. You are prayed for much. Those posting on here that say pot kills don't know what they are talking about but only know what the Fed propaganda tells them. Which is bogus. Study out of UC Berkeley proves MJ compounds shrink breast tumors. Study out of Germany proves MJ shrinks lung tumors. Study after study proves amazing benefits of MJ. That's why all ur major medical organizations want it legalized. And state after state is defying the Feds and legalizing it in some form. "

    kathy p wrote on Feb 10, 2010 6:22 PM:

    " M`I bad with math, The state profits $10788.00 on marijuana per pound, I`ve never heard of anybody EVER making that kind of money off of a pound of pot befor. If you didnot know before you do now. They need to lay off the small guys look how good they do on their own. "

    in the middle wrote on Feb 9, 2010 9:21 PM:

    " and I TOO wish katsu and his mother luck. "

    in the middle wrote on Feb 9, 2010 9:17 PM:

    " although marijuana is a harmless drug and these people didnt do anything to hurt people, there are still loopholes in our laws that we still have to abide by even if we dont agree on them, it is unfortunate that good people like these get felonies for this but thats just how alaskas judicial system works, and the troopers know these busts look good in the paper "

    kathy p wrote on Feb 9, 2010 5:26 PM:

    " Good luck to Katsu and his mother, You have supporter and followers, I t`s only O.K.for our state to now be aloud to be Drug Dealers and support "legal grow op`s" they want the monopoly .They are making money off of medical card holders, I heard they are buying pot from these growers at $3100.00 a pound thats less than $7.00 per gram and then selling it to the card holders for $31.00 a gram ,,,so thats 448 grs.per pound. the state profit is 11,236.00 per pound, looks to me like" Drug Lords",making that kind "

    Rediculous wrote on Feb 9, 2010 4:06 PM:

    " National Guard’s Counter Drug Support Program served a search warrant ? Why is the National Guard doing civilian police work? Can someone explain what the deal with the army is about? Weed? the nicest and calmest people I know smoke weed, Yes this includes doctors lawyers and even cops. Rednecks go back to redneckville. "

    JM wrote on Feb 9, 2010 3:05 PM:

    " People get arrested dor DUI, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Someone should read the papers and keep current on news. If they had they would understand that plenty of people cause accidents while driving under the influence of pot. So making statements about no one getting hurt from being high is a lie..... "

    P820 wrote on Feb 8, 2010 2:25 PM:

    " Way to go Palmer Fire and Rescue Good Save!!

    P820 "

    Alcohol wrote on Feb 8, 2010 12:44 PM:

    " I will just say this - all of you who are out thanking these 'brave' policemen for busting people growing weed - you have no room to talk if you haven't tried it. Why do you all think that alcohol is so 'safe', yet we hear of 21 year olds killing themselves on their first 'legal' birthday, or hear of a family getting killed by a drunk driver? I have never seen anyone get hurt, become violent, or otherwise unlawful while high. "

    Scott wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:58 AM:

    " Those who complain that the cops are not doing their job are just those who smoke dope and will find ANY excuse to cry and whine and blame the cops for enforcing the law that the MAJORITY voted in. 95 lbs of plants (16 lbs. processed) is definately NOT personal use. Good bust guys/gals! Keep up the good work and give these whiners more to complain about. Hit em at the source. Meth, coke, heroin, marijuana - all are illegal, all are bad for society. "

    Clean it up wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:40 AM:

    " Thanks for keeping innocent old ladies from selling to my children. Innocent is a word used for our children who have not yet been exposed to people like this. THANK YOU to the troopers for helping to protect our children. "

    voice wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:07 AM:

    " Not suprising that Ingrim was part of this one....ironic how the first article I am pretty sure said something like 20 lbs. Now this one says 16.Then it changes again!!! HHMMM. Your stuff never makes since- at least from your side. Rediculous that we all work so hard at surving not onlly this world today but OUR state alone, and we pay OUR money to the jelous people. Garenteed trooper story wont match up with discovery. "

    UNBELIEVEABLE wrote on Feb 6, 2010 4:55 PM:

    " I just can't believe that our fine Police officers have nothing better to do than waste their time by busting these citizens for weed! I've never seen weed hurt anyone!! As a matter of fact, it helps with a lot of painful ailments people have that would otherwise be addressed by a doctor with the prescription of dangerous narcotic painkillers that ultimately only lead to addictions and destruction of life. To put good people like Katsu and Jane in the same bracket as hardened criminals is absolutely RIDICULOUS!! I'm seriously losing faith in every part of our so-called Justice System!! "

    Who wanted pot illegal wrote on Feb 6, 2010 10:41 AM:

    " Do you know that the American Medical Association fought to keep Medical Marijuana legal? True also true that it was the Brewers Association and the Pharmaceutical Association that fought to make it illegal. HMMMMM The National Nursing Association supports Legalizing Medical Marijuana use. Why might that be? Because nurses know what works and they care about people. Alaska should have a place for legal access to Marijuana if it is allowing Medical Marijuana to be used, otherwise there are to many obstacles. Legal medical Marijuana with no access is ignorant. "

    Thomas J wrote on Feb 6, 2010 1:31 AM:

    " Mat su

    Katsu is a very good person and should not do any time. He has nothing to do with it, granted cops are not very smart but they will be able to figure that one out. And Jane has the right to medical weed which only recently expired. They should drop charges on her too. These are good people unlike Mr or Mrs. Go get em. "

    NEW GUY wrote on Feb 5, 2010 3:56 PM:

    " OK JUSTED MOVED HERE AND CANT BELIEVE I AM GOING TO PAYMY TAX DOLLARS TO THIS STATE FOR BUSTING POOR LADYS FOR GROWING A LITTLE WEED,PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE AND GO FIND A REAL CRIME,HEAR COPS GETTIN SHOT IN ANCHORAGE,NOW THATS A CRIME,OR SOMEONE TRYING TO TAKE LITTLE KIDS,GO FIND THESE PEOPLE REAL CRIMINALS,I HOPE SHE WINS THIS SAD CASE!!! "

    MatSU wrote on Feb 5, 2010 8:01 AM:

    " I have known Mr. Lewis personally for many years and he is a darn good man. He is a man that has good morals, is honest, trustworthy and fair. Always willing to lend a hand or help someone in need. I take issue with anyone who says any different. Best of luck to you and you’re family friend. "

    Go get EM wrote on Feb 5, 2010 5:11 AM:

    " What crime...per tell? Did I anger you about your HERB Thomas. Did DOC allow you computer time between arraignments? What a laugh! It is called Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance...look it up Thomas. You don't have to sell marijuana for it to be a crime. Growing 49 plants in this state (in your home) is a crime. Don't like it, change the law. If not ,don't grow. Get it? Come back when you have something intelligent to say. "

    Thomas J wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:19 PM:

    " Go get em

    What crime per tell was committed here? Was someone killed or beaten or robbed. Was there a kidnapping or sexual assault? Can they even prove that these are dealers? NO The only crime I see is that an untaxed HERB was grown. I couldn't ever fathom that as a crime. YOU are the crime... Your just a hypocrite go mind your own business and let the real people talk. "

    Go Get EM wrote on Feb 4, 2010 6:42 PM:

    " Way to go Matsu Narcs! Obviously pot smokers have access to computers. "Medical marijuana" "god given right" Too funny. THESE ARE CRIMINALS. "

    Not a pot head wrote on Feb 4, 2010 2:12 PM:

    " Way to go guys!!!!! You are awesome,keep up the good work and get those looser's out of Alaska. Dope smokin loser's need to be taken down. "

    Jeff wrote on Feb 4, 2010 2:10 PM:

    " I feel safe the Great Alaska Troopers are doing their jobs busting those hard core criminals .

    As the Gangs shot cops in Anchorage and South American MS13 Members terrorize Anchorge , These Hero Troopers are busting Old Women and Kids for POT !!!!!!!!!! What a bunch of Losers (Over Paid Losers ) No less Losers . "

    Police bust wrote on Feb 4, 2010 1:07 PM:

    " Billards just got a huge meth bust late juanuary 3. "

    hmmmmm wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:15 AM:

    " this is like the 5th pot bust this month, what is this pot month? havent heard of any meth labs getting took down lately "

    Yaaa wrote on Feb 4, 2010 8:21 AM:

    " Good work. NOT. Go solve and prevent some REAL crimes. "

    ak wrote on Feb 4, 2010 6:08 AM:

    " See, now it's just "frontiersman staff". Now no one there is willing to add their names. Gotta make you wonder. "

    Thomas J wrote on Feb 4, 2010 12:23 AM:

    " Its A shame that my tax dollars are wasted on reject cops busting people for an Herb that should be legal instead of busting gang punks in Mt. View or meth head thieves...Weed might as well be a vitamin for goodness sakes "

    diana wrote on Feb 3, 2010 9:07 PM:

    " pot bust on church road...what a hoot "

    Someone wrote on Feb 3, 2010 8:37 PM:

    " Katsu is no longer incarcerated. "

    RavinHomer wrote on Feb 3, 2010 6:22 PM:

    " I will continue to fight for our God given rights and the Constitution that makes this State great. Meanwhile we can only hope the Troopers and the prosecuters concentrate on the real criminals. It's only a matter of time my friends. "

    John Law wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:53 PM:

    " More harmless medical marijuana taken off the streets? Why, these criminals are just profiting off the drug addictions of sick people right? "

    Terry wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:42 PM:

    " I lived in Wasilla and believe me its a great place to grow pot ! I think anyone whom lives in that Low class Hillbilly enviroment place needs to be stoned .



    Wasilla Sucks .............. "

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