A Solsberry man is accused of doubling and tripling his investments in a marijuana dealing business. When ISP troopers executed a search warrant at the man’s home, they seized over 10 pounds of marijuana and over $25,000 in cash.

Jessy James Harden, 29, Solsberry, was arrested Tuesday afternoon and booked into the Greene County Jail after he turned himself in around 3 p.m. Harden paid $1,000 cash, ten percent of a $10,000 bond, and was released the same day.

Harden has been under an investigation led by Detective Joshua Allen of the Indiana State Police. Det. Allen has been assigned to the ISP’s Drug Enforcement Section for several years.

Back on Thursday, December 5, Det. Allen received information that Harden was dealing marijuana out of his home located at 6673 North Greene County Line Road, Solsberry. A search warrant was granted then executed by Det. Allen, ISP Trooper Richard Klun, and several other ISP troopers.

When they arrived, a female resident and two juveniles were home. Det. Allen said the entire residence smelled of marijuana and the troopers found two marijuana grows, one on each end of the house. They also found a safe. The woman allegedly said she knew what was going on but was not involved and she did not know the combination to the safe. She said everything was Harden’s.

While troopers were on the scene, Harden arrived home, was advised of his rights and then agreed to speak to Det. Allen and open the safe.

According to Det. Allen, Harden admitted to dealing marijuana, said he had not been employed for over a year and that life would be difficult to afford without his marijuana business.

Harden allegedly explained that would buy a pound of marijuana for $1,200, usually buying six pounds at a time, and he would then sell marijuana for $150 an ounce or $30-40 for one-eighth of an ounce.

Det. Allen wrote that if Harden sold at those prices, he would double his money when selling by the ounce, or triple his money when selling smaller quantities, clearing approximately $1,200-$2,640 per pound.

In addition to seizing 13 marijuana plants, Det. Allen reported they seized $25,251 in cash and over 10 pounds of marijuana from the safe. Harden allegedly admitted that much of the cash was proceeds from the marijuana business.

Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw filed a criminal case against Harden on Tuesday in Greene Circuit Court and a warrant was issued for Harden’s arrest.

Harden has retained a defense attorney from Indianapolis and is scheduled to appear in Greene Circuit Court for an initial hearing on Tuesday, January 15, when he will be formally charged with dealing in marijuana in an amount of at least 10 pounds, a Level 5 felony.