ROOSEVELT — An investigation into an alleged assault on two women led Duchesne County sheriff's deputies to a sophisticated marijuana growing operation and 508 plants.
The mature plants are valued at $1,000 each. Investigators also located a cache of rifles, handguns, ammunition and dynamite in a 55-gallon barrel buried several yards from the underground bunker.
Duchesne County resident Robert Hey, 50, remained in the Duchesne County jail Tuesday morning for investigation of several charges in connection with the alleged assault and marijuana production operation.
Hey could face federal charges for his alleged drug operation.
"There have been conversations between the county (attorney's) office and our attorneys," U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman Meladie Rydalch said. "The attorneys are waiting for the investigative reports to be sent. We're sort of in the transition stage."
Investigators say Hey is a convicted felon who is restricted from having weapons. He served time in a California prison on weapons and drug charges before moving to Duchesne County in 1993 and purchasing 610 acres of land near Utahn, a small farming community 30 miles northwest of Duchesne, said Duchesne County Sheriff Ralph Stansfield.
Hey had a clean record in Duchesne County prior to his arrest last week on charges resulting from an alleged assault on his wife, Linda Hey, and a neighbor.
On March 9, the Duchesne County Attorney filed charges against Hey that include: two counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; one count of domestic violence, a class B misdemeanor; assault, a class A misdemeanor; possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony; and criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor.
He turned himself in to sheriff's deputies on March 12. That same day, officers began searching his property for possible weapons used in the alleged assault.
As a result of the probe, officers happened onto a trap door in a small shed that led into a hole that went underground for eight feet before it opened into a 10-foot long tunnel that led to a large excavated room about 12 feet high by 12 feet wide and 24 feet long where the plants were growing, according to a sheriff's department press release.
Railroad ties and steel beams were used to make the roof, which was covered by a thick layer of dirt. The walls were covered with a cement stucco-type covering. Five heat lamps with timers aided in the underground growing process, Stansfield said.
There was also a hydroponics system to water plants, with vents for fresh air and an exhaust vent to keep the air circulated. "These were just about the best growing conditions for marijuana I've ever seen. And you couldn't see any of it from above ground," Stansfield said. "These guys have gone to a lot of work."
The search of the property also located six outdoor marijuana fields, along with a solar-powered pump. Officers also found an old trailer that had been used to dry marijuana.
Stansfield said it appeared the growing operation had been used for a few years. He said it is not known where the marijuana was distributed.
A human skull found tied to the top of a wooden fence post was taken to the State Medical Examiner.
Preliminary reports indicate the skull is "very old," perhaps from an old burial ground and is probably that of a young girl, Stansfield said. Numerous animal skulls were found on the property.
Neighbors described Hey as "helpful" but as someone who kept to himself, said Sheriff Lt. Travis Mitchell.
The sheriff's department is continuing its investigation and is looking at filing possible charges against "two or more people."
Contributing: Laura Hancock
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