Two local men arrested in Creston pot grow bust

Four people charged with operating three marijuana grow houses within a few blocks of each other in the Creston area pleaded not guilty to felony charges of criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs on May 28 in Flathead County District Court.

Jacob McDonald, 37, of Hungry Horse, and Eric Speer, 32, of Columbia Falls, have been charged with helping Jeremy Frey, 32, and Tonia Frey, 33, of Kalispell, run the illegal drug business.

McDonald and Speer each face between two years and life in prison if convicted. Their next hearings are set for Aug. 27. Both were incarcerated in the county jail with bonds set at $50,000 but later released on their own recognizance.

According to court records, the Northwest Drug Task Force had received a tip that the Freys were running grow operations on Larch Lane and Krause Lane, and that McDonald and Speer were helping them.

Search warrants obtained for electrical records indicated an elevated use of electricity. About 137 marijuana plants were found under grow lights at one of the houses, where the windows were covered and ventilation had been installed.

Agents allegedly found items connecting the Freys to the property, along with mail addressed to Speer, who allegedly paid the electric bill for one of the houses in cash.

Marijuana at all three houses reportedly was labeled with the same or similar brands.

In addition to the Creston bust, Jeremy Frey is charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession with intent to distribute in two other cases. He faces from two years to life plus 25 years in prison and a fine up to $150,000 if convicted in all three cases. He has hearings set for June 12 and Aug. 27.

Tonia Frey also is charged with criminal possession with intent to distribute in a separate case. She faces from two years to life plus 20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000 if convicted in both cases. She has hearings set for July 16 and Aug. 27.

The Freys initially were incarcerated in the county jail with bonds set at $60,000 but were released on their own recognizance following hearings on April 11.

The Northwest Drug Task Force was assisted in the investigation by the U.S. Border Patrol, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and one other agency.