911 hang-up led cops to grow operation

MACY, Ind. (WANE) - A Macy man and his wife are facing felony drug charges after police found 10 marijuana plants hanging to dry in a bedroom closet in their home Friday afternoon.

A 911 call that ended abruptly caused police to come to 1899 East County Road 1100 North in Macy. When police arrived, Becky Friedersdorf told Trooper Joe Swisher that she placed the 911 call after her husband Mark allegedly intentionally rammed his head into a wall inside the home. She said they were arguing at the time. Her husband allegedly hung up the telephone before she was able to speak with dispatchers. As Swisher was trying to verify the information provided by the Friedersdorfs, he noticed a strong smell of marijuana emitting from the home.

Further investigation by Swisher revealed 10 marijuana plants, hanging to dry, in a bedroom closet. A further search led police to an active marijuana grow operation in the basement of the residence. Troopers also found an additional 72 marijuana plants, hydroponic growing equipment, 12 long guns, three handguns, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Mark and Becky Friedersdorf were incarcerated in the Miami County Jail. They face class D felony charges for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana over 30 grams, and maintaining a common nuisance. They also face a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia. Mark Friedersdorf also faces an additional misdemeanor charge for interfering with the reporting of a crime.

Citizens are asked to report suspected illegal drug activity by calling the anonymous Indiana State Police Marijuana Tip Line at 1-888-873-1694.