Oakdale Man Charged with Marijuana Possession

An Oakdale man has been charged with felony drug possession after police say they found 119 marijuana plants in his bedroom.

Joel Paul Easton, 29, is charged with fifth-degree drug possession, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, members of the Washington County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a townhouse in the 4600 block of Hayward Road North on Nov. 6, seeking a man known only as Joel.

Police knocked on the door, which was answered by a couple who live in the home. They found Easton at the bottom of the basement stairs, near a closed bedroom door with a posted sign reading “Joel’s bedroom.”

Inside the room, police found a marijuana-growing operation, including 119 plants and related equipment for cultivating marijuana, the complaint said. They seized the marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia, a scale, books on growing marijuana and “dope notes,” according to the complaint.

The marijuana seized from the home weighed 1,456 grams.

The woman who answered the door told police she rented the upper level of the townhouse from Easton, who lived downstairs.

Easton has been released from custody on his promise to make all future court appearances. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance on the charge Feb. 5 in Washington County District Court.