The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLERAIN, Ohio — Matthew Cones was sentenced to probation today for growing marijuana in the basement of his Colerain Township house in which two firefighters were killed fighting a fire.
Cones, 33, was charged after the April fire killed the two firefighters but authorities said the pot growing operation in his Squirrels Nest basement was unrelated to the fatal fire.
The April 4 fire started following an electrical short in an orchid-growing operation in a different part of the basement. The two growing operations were on different electrical systems.
In May, Cones pleaded guilty to cultivation of marijuana, and prosecutors at the time said they wouldn’t seek time behind bars for him.
Killed in the blaze were Colerain Township Fire Capt. Robin Broxterman, 37, and firefighter Brian Schira, 29. Cones was not charged in the deaths. Cones’ lawyer, Scott Croswell III, said firefighters told him they hold “no ill will” toward Cones.
Cones had five marijuana plants growing in the basement. Croswell said Cones told firefighters at the scene about the marijuana plants.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Fred Nelson placed Cones on two years of probation, ordered him to undergo random drug tests, fined him $1,000 and suspended his driver’s license for six months.
The judge could have sent Cones to prison for up to one year but agreed with the prosecutors’ recommendation for probation.
Cones’ only prior criminal record was a DUI 12 years ago, his attorney said.
Copyright 2008, The Cincinnati Enquirer