LEXINGTON, KY - An Asher, Ky., man was charged with growing at least a 100 marijuana plants and a firearm offense.

A federal jury in London returned an indictment yesterday charging Charles Sizemore, 50, with manufacturing a 100 or more marijuana plants and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

The Indictment alleges that in August of 2008, Sizemore grew marijuana and possessed nine firearms that helped facilitate his drug offense.

Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Wendy Haney, Supervisory Special Agent, United States Forest Service (USFS), and Paul J. Vido, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), jointly made the announcement.

The investigation preceding the Indictment was conducted by USFS and ATF. The Indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant United States Attorney Lee Gentry.

Sizemore’s appearance before the United States District Court has not yet been set. If convicted, Sizemore faces a minimum of 10 years in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.

The indictment of a person by a grand jury is an accusation only, and that person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.