police chief arrested for growing marijuana

Poplar Police Chief Chad Hilde was arrested on drug charges Tuesday for allegedly growing marijuana plants in the barn near his rural Culbertson home.

Roosevelt County Sheriff's deputies arrested Hilde at his home, according to a news release. He is charged with one felony count of criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs, and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Hilde was arraigned before Judge Bruce Waldhausen in Culbertson, and was released after posting $10,000 bond. A dispatcher at the Poplar Police Department said Monday that Hilde was on administrative leave. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the felony charge.

Poplar is a town of about 1,000 residents on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

An affidavit filed by acting Roosevelt County Attorney Steven Howard in Roosevelt County District Court on Tuesday morning provides more details into the allegations against Hilde.

A female runaway told Roosevelt County Sheriff's Deputy Matt Wallace on July 30 that Hilde had a marijuana plant growing in his barn, and that Hilde told her it was for medical purposes, according to an affidavit. ... [link to www.greatfallstribune.com]

normally I would be on the side of the grower and wish for him to get off easy. but since this is a cop I hope he gets prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.