2 people arrested in wake of illegal mushroom cultivation discovery

Washington County Drug Task Force, DEA agents respond to an apartment in the Desert Rose Apartment complex at 2929 E. 450 North where multiple containers of alleged narcotics were found by sheriff's deputies, St. George, Utah, Jan. 23, 2015 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Two St. George residents were arrested Friday afternoon in connection with the alleged possession, manufacture and intent to sell illegal mushrooms, discovered by sheriff’s deputies Friday morning.

Coby Curtis, of St. George, booking photo posted Jan. 23, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Coby Curtis, of St. George, booking photo posted Jan. 23, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office

As reported by St. George News Friday, members of the Washington County Drug Task Force, with the assistance of agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, were called to an apartment complex in the area of 2900 East and 450 North, where Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies had discovered suspected marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms, also known as psychedelic mushrooms.

The sheriff’s deputies originally went to the residence to serve papers, St. George Police Capt. Kyle Whitehead said. However, once the door was opened, deputies could smell the odor of suspected marijuana coming from within the apartment.

Answering the door was Nicole Cassidy, 19, who was detained by deputies while a warrant was obtained to search the apartment, Whitehead said. While the deputies were detaining other individuals within the apartment, they encountered Coby Curtis, 20, who was trying to conceal or destroy substances suspected to be marijuana and illegal mushrooms by flushing them down the toilet, he said.

Nicole Brianne Cassidy, of St. George, booking photo posted Jan. 23, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Nicole Brianne Cassidy, of St. George, booking photo posted Jan. 23, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office

While searching the apartments, “numerous items of cultivation paraphernalia were found,” according to a probable cause statement written by Washington County Drug Task Force Detective Nick Hallman.

The task force was called in to conduct a lab/cultivation investigation following the discovery.

“During the search of the home, several large Tupperware tubs and terrarium style containers were located with what was identified as psilocybin mushrooms in various stages of growth. A large amount of dried and pre-packaged mushrooms were also located,” Hallman wrote. “It was determined that the individuals in the home were actively producing the psilocybin mushrooms.”

The search also produced three large knives and brass knuckles found in Curtis’ room.

Several glass jars containing suspected marijuana were also found along with a digital scale and other alleged drug paraphernalia.

Both Cassidy and Curtis allegedly admitted that the substances found in the apartment were marijuana and illegal mushrooms.

Curtis was charged with three felonies related to knowingly dispensing/manufacturing a controlled substance, drug possession with intent to distribute, and obstruction of justice. He was also charged with two felonies for unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon and drug possession.

Cassidy was charged with two felonies related to knowingly dispensing/manufacturing a controlled substance and drug possession with intent to distribute. She was also charged with a misdemeanor for drug possession.

The charges were enhanced due to the apartment being within 1,000 feet of Pine View High School, which constitutes a drug-free zone, Whitehead said.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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24 Comments

  • groanattack January 26, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    What a couple of DUMB PIES! You can get some GREAT tasting shrooms at Harmon’s.

  • S Steed January 26, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    I really hope there will come a time when our children will not be able to comprehend this way of treating people, and they will ask us what we were thinking. Oliver North is some sort of right-wing hero, but people don’t even know why he is relevant. I pray that we will turn off the TV and opt out of the mindless brainwash that it is. Maybe look into our history and see that there is more to the story than we’ve been told. People might discover that the Kennedys made their money running bootleg liquor, and that the Bush family provided oil for the Nazis in WWII. These are the sort of people we have as leaders and yet people still think we go to war to protect America. We go to war because it makes certain companies and banks a lot of money. And now these kids will be convicted felons. Their lives will never be the same. I have to say at this point I am ashamed to be an American. Grateful for sure, but not at all proud. We can bomb indiscriminately and murder without conscience, yet these people aren’t being charged with hurting anyone; just providing a supply to meat a demand- just like Bootleg Joe Kennedy.

    • Arts and Letters January 26, 2015 at 7:51 pm

      Steed – What in the screaming h-e-double toothpicks are you talking about? (Hey, look ma, I’m speaking Mormon!)

      • S Steed January 26, 2015 at 9:18 pm

        At least until the net-neutrality judgment is made, you almost literally have the library of Alexandria at your fingertips. You can check any claims I’ve made and see for yourself. If you really want your mind blown, look into what happened on 9/11. There are a lot of false leads going down that rabbit hole, but you will never be able to see the government the same after you take that trip. It is the most important day in our lifetime and yet no one is allowed to ask about it. There is a very good reason for that.

        • short crick blockhead January 27, 2015 at 8:44 am

          Hey STEED, if you are ashamed to be an American then just leave. Obama made up with Cuba, I’m sure you would be welcomed there. Or if you really want to make a anti-American statement, move to Yemen, they chant “death to America” there, more like your way of thinking, huh? I am ashamed that you live here in southern Utah amongst us. Leave, you anti-American idiot!

          • Kenneth January 29, 2015 at 8:30 am

            Americans ought to be ashamed. We’ve done horrible things throughout our history. Rather than waving the flag and denying the truth, you ought to take some time and study a little. America, love it or change it.

        • matymat January 27, 2015 at 2:21 pm

          I’m with you Steed. The veil is shrouding the masses. Few have pulled it to the side. The answers are there if only the populous were to READ it. With the net neutrality issue, we are on the verge of losing our right/opportunity to discover and question. Prescott Bush did fund the 3rd riche, later was in politics… how do all these oil tycoons and big bankers get office? Asking questions is America. Anyways I love America, just not to proud of the sheep that fall in line and do not ask questions. Why do we have so many rules/laws? We are all in bondage, since the creation of a me private central banking system (federal Reserve ) the banks a mere to blame for the tyranny abroad and right in our own neighborhood. Love and light to all that wish it in our time.

        • S Steed January 27, 2015 at 6:27 pm

          I also love America. It is my home and I know what we are capable of. I simply cannot support the things that are being done in my name with my money. There is a reason people chant “death to America” and I supported the war in Iraq after 9/11. A war that turns out was based on WMDs that didn’t exist. We killed a million people there. I would say that makes me a terrorist, and that is not something I am proud to be. I have no doubt that if we can do that to the people of Iraq we could do it to each other.

    • fapfapfap January 27, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      That escalated quickly..

      But seriously. You guys need to grow up. Stay on damn topic. No one gives … about your conspiracy theories. If you are going to open your … mouth then either do something to change it or get … out of my country.

      You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. I may believe in some of these conspiracies but I don’t go around blabbing about it. There are forums online where you can go express yourself about these things. But on the Saint George News website? Seriously?

      People like you are what is wrong with our society. You bitch and moan but yet never do anything to make it any better. Grow a … pair and back up your words with actions.

      Surprised Saint George news even let you post these comments. Way too off topic to even belong here.
      Ed. ellipses.

  • aquaua January 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    this is ridiculous. Especially, in a country that is supposedly based on freedom and individual rights. They’re plants and mushrooms! The law enforcement needs to get a life!!!!

  • Arts and Letters January 26, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    Coby, honey, don’t give yourself a haircut when you’re high on psychedelics.

    • Aaron January 26, 2015 at 9:58 pm

      Contrary to popular belief, that’s the best — and funnest — time to get a haircut.

      • short crick blockhead January 27, 2015 at 8:46 am

        Great…..give me some shrooms and let me perform that appendectomy on you…..trust me, I have DIY video, everything will be just fine.

  • Uncle Sam January 26, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    AQUAUA I agree with 100% the Bible even backs up everything one bit (Genesis 1:12) He gave hemp for people to use with our free will. Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.) the police and media make it sound as if marijuana is the anti-christ when all it does is calm you down. everyone says that marijuana can be abused and kids get get their hands on it if it is legalized well if they like it or not kids can get their hands on it if its legal or not . just like they can get tobacco and alcohol. thousands of people die of smoking and drinking each year but not once has anyone ever died of the use of marijuana. There is so many medical uses for marijuana that can take away the need for expansive pills and medications that some families can’t afford to buy.

  • Herd January 26, 2015 at 8:49 pm

    These drug users and pushers being arrested seem to be getting younger. I always thought parenting in this town was lax, without much supervision of kids being out late. Now those kids may be the young adults who are appearing in the county bookings. Instead of parents saying there is not enough things for kids to do, maybe parents ought to think what they should be doing with their bored kids.

    • short crick blockhead January 27, 2015 at 8:48 am

      I have an idea….send them kids on down here to the crick. We’ll show them the way.

  • TODRYT January 27, 2015 at 10:19 am

    Well it seems the illogical reasoning of the journalistic interdepartmental interests of the situation in question leads to the invalid questionable reasoning of the situation at hand leading to the facts and figures pertaining to the facts of the situation leading to the final stage of the reaction of the political position of decisive manufacturing of the facts

  • Koolaid January 27, 2015 at 11:04 am

    How many of these drug habits started with kids raiding their parents’ diet pills, anti-depressants, cope drugs, pain killers or from stealing the over the counter drugs at the grocery stores? Gateway drugs?

    • short crick blockhead January 27, 2015 at 1:51 pm

      Again, the authorative KOOLAID speaking from experience.

      • One for the road January 28, 2015 at 11:26 am

        Well then don’t read his comments.. Duhhhhhhhh

    • matymat January 27, 2015 at 2:23 pm

      No you just can’t do substance s the fed cannot control or tax. Ha you’re very right.

  • Name January 27, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    Uncle Sam your article is very good and makes sense. thanks

  • Kenneth January 29, 2015 at 8:28 am

    What an absolute waste of time, money and police resources. When are we going to end this idiotic war on drugs.

  • radioviking January 16, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    See the reasons why so many in the law enforcement want to END THE WAR ON DRUGS: http://www.leap.cc/

    .
    Law Enforcement Against Prohibition: http://www.leap.cc/
    .
    The USA will be saving billions of tax dollars and precious lives once they wake up and see the needless drug laws which are causing more problems than solutions to millions of lives in America!

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