Crook County Sheriff’s deputies searching for a man who had fled the scene of a reported domestic dispute south of Prineville on Sunday happened to come across an unrelated marijuana growing operation in the woods nearby, resulting in a second arrest.
Deputies responded to the report of a domestic altercation at a residence on SE Winchester Loop shortly after 5 p.m. on June 17 only to find that the suspect had fled on foot in a westerly direction prior to their arrival, Undersheriff Jim Hensley reported.
Eric Sold (left), and Donald Lee Jenkins (right) - CCJ photos
Deputies were searching the wooded terrain when they found a “primitive” marijuana grow being tended by 21-year old Eric Sold of Prineville.
More plants and items used to grow marijuana were found at Sold’s residence, Hensley said. Nine mature plants, 19 starter plants, and 78.8 grams of dried marijuana were seized. Had the marijuana grown to maturation and been harvested, Hensley estimated the street value at $10,000.
Sold was taken into custody and lodged at the Crook County Jail with bail set at $75,000. According to the undersheriff, he is charged with manufacturing, delivery, and possession of marijuana.
Within minutes of Sold’s arrest, deputies located the original suspect in the domestic dispute. Donald Lee Jenkins, 54, was arrested and jailed for harassment. His bail was set at $5,000, Hensley said.