Marijuana Growing Operation Uncovered in Franklin County

A domestic dispute in Franklin County recently turned into a drug bust and arrest.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, deputies responded to a report late Monday night on Harbor Road off Highway 51 of a violent domestic situation in which both the wife and a child were injured.

“Upon deputies’ arrival, the alleged offender, Steven Braxton Brown, 32, had left the residence,” Thomas said. “EMS was also called to the scene to treat the child and the female, Ms. Brown.”

Thomas said a search for Brown led deputies to another part of the property where they discovered a marijuana growing operation.

“Officers began to search the property for Mr. Brown and upon doing so, they checked outbuildings and opened a building on the property that turned out to contain what was believed to be marijuana,” Thomas said. “They backed out and searched the rest of the property. They called for search dogs from Phillips Correctional Institute. The search dogs arrived on the property and sometime later, they found Mr. Brown.”

Thomas said the building contained about 50 marijuana plants about 4-ft high including everything needed to operate a grow house.

Brown is charged with aggravated assault, first degree cruelty to children, and obstruction.

He is also facing charges of marijuana possession and operating a grow house.

Thomas said Brown’s wife and child were taken to a safe house.

Brown is being held in the Franklin County Detention Center without bond.