Father, Son Arrested After Fence Fire Reveals Grow House: Deputies

SARASOTA, FL — A Sarasota man and his son are both in hot water after deputies say a Friday fire at their home led to the discovery of a marijuana grow house.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Sarasota County Fire Rescue were called out to a home in the 2400 block of Tangerine Drive around 10 a.m. Dec. 30. When they arrived, firefighters and deputies entered the home to evacuate anyone inside due to the fire. Once inside, however, deputies couldn’t help but notice an “obvious cannabis grow operation,” an arrest report says.

Deputies found 19 plants in the home and obtained a search warrant for the property after making the discovery.

Deputies say in addition to the plants, they found grow lights, about 8.3 pounds of packaged cannabis, cannabis seeds, a single Adderall pill, a package of heroin, Fentanyl and THC resin, the report noted.

Bob Pollitt, 55, was charged with cultivation of cannabis. His son, Brandon, 29, also faces cultivation of cannabis charges. In addition, Brandon was charged with four counts of possession of a control substance without a prescription.

Bob Pollitt bonded out of the Sarasota County Jail on $1,500. Brandon was released in lieu of $7,500 bond, the sheriff’s office said.

Booking photos courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office