Police allegedly find pot operation after responding to domestic dispute

An Austin man faces felony charges for a marijuana operation after police arrested him on a domestic dispute call Friday.

Alex Patrick Hernandez, 25, was charged Monday with two felonies, fifth-degree drug sale and fifth degree drug possession, along with two misdemeanors, domestic assault and obstructing the legal process.

Police went to Hernandez’s home in the 500 block of Ninth Street NW on Friday evening after a neighbor called police about screaming and a window breaking. When approaching the house, an officer heard someone say “We just need to go to the hospital!” the court complaint states. The officer went upstairs and found a broken window, a woman crying “hysterically,” and the smell of marijuana, according to the complaint. Police then found Hernandez hiding in a crawl space behind a child’s bed, where they also found marijuana plants, reflectors, a heat source and lamps, the complaint states. Hernandez allegedly would not cooperate until another officer assisted with the arrest.

The victim allegedly allowed police to search the home. The complaint said police found marijuana growing materials, a bottle of vicodin, hydrocodone and a schedule II controlled substance. The complaint says Hernandez admitted to the grow operation and said the victim knew nothing about it. He also admitted to not having a prescription for the hydrocodone. However, Hernandez denied that he was ever physical with the victim, the complaint adds, and said the victim broke the window.

Hernandez was placed in the Mower County jail on $10,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 17.

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