Woman Charged in Grow House Operation
On Sunday, June 13, 2010, deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office were notified a 21-month old child had been left home alone while family responded to the Lee Memorial Health Park Hospital emergency room. The incident occurred at 15790 Portofino Springs Boulevard, Unit #1801, Fort Myers, Florida. A deputy went to the residence to find the garage and front doors were wide open. The child was found alone and unharmed. When entering the home the deputy observed marijuana plants in plain view.
Due to the nature of the incident, members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Narcotics Unit and Forensics Unit collaborated in continuance of the investigation. A search warrant was requested, granted and served at the residence on Sunday. Four marijuana plants, a small plastic bag of cocaine and drug paraphernalia were located throughout the home. In the second floor bedroom, a marijuana cultivating operation was discovered with 25 planters of soil, overhead lights, fans and an air conditioning duct modified to cool the lights. Trails of soil, the disturbed pots and other evidence indicated numerous plants had been moved recently.
Detectives have arrested and charged 24 year old Whitney Simonson with one count each of marijuana manufacturing, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She will be booked into the Lee County Jail. A mugshot of the accused and additional information will be available on the Sheriff’s Office website under Arrest and Inmates /Search Lee County Arrests after processing. The investigation continues. No other details are available for release at this time.