State v. Buterbaugh

LANSING, Judge.

While responding to a fire in Thomas Buterbaugh’s home, firefighters discovered in the basement evidence of past indoor plant cultivation. Because firefighters believed that this evidence might be indicative of a marijuana-growing operation, they summoned the police. The fire chief later found signs of another growing operation in a bedroom closet, which was disclosed to police. A police officer went into Buterbaugh’s house, seized the evidence, and then obtained a warrant authorizing a broader search. In executing the warrant, the police found marijuana, other drugs, and…