JPD arrest 3 after suspect takes pot plant for a walk | Crime

Apparently a Jonesboro man picked the wrong time to take a pot plant for a walk.

According to the police incident report, two officers were traveling down Belt Street Monday evening when Jonvonte Battle, 19, reportedly walked in front of their cruiser carrying a suspected marijuana plant.

At first, Battle did not notice the officers' presence.  When he did, Battle reportedly tried to hide the plant by his waistline and quickened his pace.

The officers stopped the car and ordered Battle to stop.  When he did, they say he dropped the plant on the ground near a wooded area.  Standing near Battle at the wood line was a second man, later identified as Daniel Sykes, 19, of Jonesboro.  According to the officers' report, Sykes was standing near two plant pots containing marijuana.

As Battle and Sykes were being taken back to the patrol unit, one of the officers spotted two people on the balcony of a nearby apartment who reportedly  "appeared to be extremely concerned."

After securing the evidence, the officer then went to the apartment where he reported finding four people inside and "an overwhelming odor of marijuana" coming from inside.

According to the report, Laisa Dickerson, 18, of Jonesboro told the officer she lived in the apartment with Sykes.  She reportedly told the officer that she and Sykes were growing the marijuana as "an experiment;" but, she denied being involved with selling narcotics.

After receiving consent from Dickerson to search the apartment, the officer reported finding a "grow lab" inside a bedroom closet.  The officer also reported finding several marijuana pipes.

After securing the evidence, police took Dickerson, Sykes and Battle to the Jonesboro Police Department where they were interviewed individually.

According to the report, Battle said he was just assisting Sykes carry the plants to the woods. 

Sykes reportedly told investigators he has never grown marijuana before and that he and Dickerson decided to do it as an "experiment."  He told investigators he takes the plants outside every month on the 24th because that's when the "Terminex man sprays their apartment building," according to the report.

Finally, Dickerson was interviewed.  She reportedly knew the plants were being grown but denied caring for the plants.  According to the report, "after stating this several times she eventually stated that she had accidentally killed one of the plants by placing it near a window."

She and Sykes were both charged with manufacture of a Schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Battle was charged with possession of a controlled substance (marijuana).

Photos provided by Craighead County Jail.