After police arrived at a Linton residence to do a welfare check, they smelled the odor of burnt marijuana and requested a search warrant then found marijuana and paraphernalia.

Michael Joe Nickle, 39, Linton, is facing preliminary charges of possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor, as a result of an investigation by Officer Nick Yingling of the Linton Police Department.

Officer Yingling was dispatched on New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, to a residence in Mobile Manor in Linton to conduct a welfare check on juveniles reported to be smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol.

When Officer Yingling arrived, along with LPD Officers John Agan and

Janzen Franklin, he reported he could smell the odor of burnt marijuana. He said when he knocked on the door, he could hear multiple people moving around inside. He knocked again and he heard someone say to hold on. When someone finally answered the door, it was Michael Nickle who asked why the officers were there.

When asked about the smell, Nickle allegedly said there was no marijuana in the residence. He also said the people inside included his wife, a nephew and two children.

Nickle was detained but not arrested. Officer Yingling requested a search warrant.

Officer Yingling reported that when the search warrant was executed, officers found multiple glass smoking devices and plant material that field-tested positive as marijuana. They also reported finding a room equipped with reflective silver wall film and potting materials.

Evidence was collected and information submitted to the prosecutor’s office.

Charges were filed yesterday and Nickle will be receiving a summons ordering him to appear in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on March 8.