Prosecution deferred for C-Falls pot grow

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office gave a three-year deferred prosecution agreement to a 30-year-old Columbia Falls man charged with operating a marijuana grow in Columbia Falls in 2012.

Darin Nau initially was charged with criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs. Because he allegedly had more than 30 plants, he faced up to two years to life and a $50,000 fine if convicted.

According to court documents, Flathead County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Nau’s residence on Seventh Avenue East North on Feb. 2, 2012, and allegedly found more than 30 plants, some harvested marijuana, growing equipment and paraphernalia.

Charges against Nau weren’t filed until March 6, 2013. He posted a $5,000 bond and moved to Williston, N.D. for work. The deferred prosecution agreement was made in September 2014.