Child Abuse Call Leads to Marijuana Growing Arrest

Seized marijuana plants came in all sizes at Wednesday's raid. (VIPD photo)
Seized marijuana plants from a previous raid on St. Croix. (VIPD photo)

A St. Croix man was arrested Tuesday on charges related to allegedly growing 178 marijuana plants after police came to investigate alleged child abuse. Mikey Luke, age 48,is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, according to a release from the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Virgin Islands.

When police arrived at Luke’s residence in Anna’s Hope, an officer reportedly saw marijuana plants outside of his house. Luke faces a potential of 5 – 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.