DRUG CHARGES FILED

03/14/2014

Frances Marion

Brandon Hutchins

Franklin Cook

Frances Marion, Brandon Hutchins, and Franklin Cook have been charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st and Marion has been charged with 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Agents with the Colbert County Drug Task Force (CCDTF) and the Colbert County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) went to the residence of Frances Marion at 4600 Underwood Mountain Road in Tuscumbia with Colbert County DHR to check on the welfare of two of Frances' children amid allegations of neglect; drug use and marijuana grow operation in the residence. DHR and our Agency had both received information regarding prescription pills abuse and the marijuana grow operation. Upon arriving at the residence Colbert County DHR received verbal consent from Barbara Marion (the homeowner) to check the living conditions provided for the children. During that check DHR workers located a marijuana plant growing in the closet of the first bedroom on the right. Agents were called into the room, I spoke with Barbara Marion and she signed a consent to search form to include CCDTF and CCSO. Agents and investigators began a search of the residence. During this time DHR located another bedroom across the hallway with a grow operation in it. After completing the search of the residence and DHR completing their evaluations and drug screens the following evidence was located.

In bedroom 1: 2 glass bongs used for smoking marijuana; rolling papers; digital scales; a blue container half full of soil; a Bugler tobacco can containing marijuana; 4 large marijuana plants; grow lights, thermometer, ventilation system, fan, timers, jugs of water; male clothing; paperwork with George Marion and Franklin Cook's names on it

In bedroom 2: Hundreds of marijuana seeds, some of the seeds were separated by genus; pipes and other paraphernalia used for smoking marijuana; 16 marijuana seedling plants; Grow lights, timers, thermometer, jugs of water;Numerous chemicals, plant foods, etc.; Bag of peat moss, pots and buckets with holes drilled in the bottom; Soil feeding schedules, and soil PH charts, fans; Male clothing belonging to Brandon Kyle Hutchins.

In bedroom #4: Straws with residue; Plastic baggies; 1 plastic bag containing 8 xanax pills and 5 klonapin pills; Frances Marion stated this was her room

Bedroom #5: 1 grow light; 1 spoon with white residue.

Barbara Marion, Frances Marion, Brandon Hutchins, and Franklin Cook all stated they didn't know anything about the plants. They all stated the plants belonged to George Marion who no longer lived there. They stated George had been gone for about 3 months. I told them someone had been caring for the plants that they had not been neglected for 3 months. They replied with George visits about once a week. I have spoken with George Marion who also denies any knowledge of the plants and denies visiting the residence weekly. George Marion is scheduled to come in next week and give a statement. Frances Marion claimed the pills found in her room stating she had recently relapsed.

DHR administered drug screens to all the adults living in the house that were present. Frances,
Brandon, and Franklin all tested positive for marijuana. Frances also tested positive for the
Xanax and klonapin. Barbara tested positive for her prescription meds only. DHR placed the 2
children ages 3 and 1 with (unnamed person)as part of a safety plan to remove them from the home.

Frances Marion, Brandon Kyle Hutchins, and Franklin Cook were all arrested for Possession of marijuana 1^st. Frances Marion also had additional charges for 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Pursuant to Alabama Criminal Codes 13a-12-213 and 13a-12-212 the Colbert County Drug Task Force requests arrest warrants be issued on Frances Marion for the charges of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1^st and 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance. Brandon Kyle Hutchins for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1^st. Franklin Cook for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1^st.