Rochester Man Arrested for Marijuana Grow Operation

ROCHESTER, IN – On the night of June 11, 2009, a nine month long drug investigation by Indiana State Police Trooper T.J. Zeiser and Rochester Police Officer Andy Schotts  resulted in the arrest of David E. Basile, 48, 1307 Dogwood Drive, Rochester, IN.

Basile faces class D felony charges for cultivating marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance, and possession of marijuana over 30 grams. He also faces misdemeanor charges for possession of switch blade knives and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail with a bond of $7,500. He has bonded out.

Last night officers from the Indiana State Police, Rochester Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, and A.T.F served a Fulton Superior Court search warrant on Basile’s Rochester home. Officers allegedly found an active marijuana grow operation in the basement of the house.

Officers purportedly seized 13 marijuana plants, approximately $15,000 in hydroponic growing equipment, assault weapons, including a launcher used to dispense flares and gas canisters, and switch blade knives. 

“This was a sophisticated growing operation,” stated Indiana State Trooper T.J. Zeiser. “Due to the outstanding work by Rochester Police Officer Andy Schotts along with the various agencies involved in executing the search warrant, we were able to take down this operation before large quantities of marijuana could be produced.” 

This is an ongoing investigation.  

Officer Schotts and Trooper Zeiser were also assisted at the scene by Fulton County Sheriff Walker Conley, Rochester Police Officer Jim Reasons, Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Jolley, Trooper Mike Meiser, Trooper Mike Tomson, Trooper Todd Trottier, and ISP Sergeant Chad Larsh.