Montana Man Pleads Guilty to Growing Marijuana in Forest

A Montana man has pleaded guilty to growing marijuana on national forest land.

The Daily Inter Lake reports that 27-year-old Smoky Alan Geldrich of Kalispell pleaded guilty Thursday to felony manufacture of dangerous drugs. His sentencing is scheduled for March 17.

He admitted that he grew marijuana in buildings constructed on Flathead National Forest land in September 2013.

Court documents say a U.S. Forest Service special agent found the illegal structures and discovered dozens of marijuana plants inside. Documents say Geldrich and an accomplice were later caught visiting the site carrying duffel bags stuffed with marijuana plants.

A 25-year-old Great Falls man is charged with helping Geldrich grow the drug. His court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 4.