Grosse Pointe Park Court: Men Plead Not Guilty at Arraignment

Two men pleaded not guilty Wednesday in court during an arraignment on felony charges stemming from the Aug. 2 during which police seized numerous marijuana plants and growth operation materials. 

Matthew Chapoton, 31, and Randy Shelp, 36, are each charged with manufacturing 4 to 45 kilograms of marijuana and possession with intent to deliver marijuana. The first count is punishable by up to seven years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines. The second charge carries a term of up to four years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. 

The men appeared before Park Judge Carl Jarboe and waived the reading of their charges as well as the reading of their rights during the arraignment. Jarboe set a preliminary exam hearing for Sept. 21 in the case, at which time he will decide whether there is sufficient evidence to bound the case over for trial. 

Both men are free on personal bonds of $5,000—a decision agreed upon by a Grosse Pointe Park detective handling the case. The men, their attorney said, have been cooperative and were released following their arrest before their arraignment for which they still showed up. 

The personal bond means the men don't pay anything unless they fail to appear at a future court date. 

Grosse Pointe Park police seized 25 "very mature" marijuana plants and 41 young marijuana plants, Detective David Loch said, comparing the young plants to seedlings. Additionally, they seized heat lamps, an exhaust fan, water tables and more related to the growth of marijuana, as well as cash and some loose pills. 

Police obtained a search warrant for the home in the 1400 block of Somerset after receiving information leading them to believe there was some sort of narcotic operation there, Public Safety Director David Hiller previously told Patch. Members of the Special Response Team helped serve the warrant and search the house.