Kingman mayor’s son arrested in pot grow house raid

The son of the Kingman, Ariz., mayor and another teenager were arrested Friday when officers found a marijuana growing operation while executing a search warrant on their home.

The mayor's son, Trent Salem, and Brandon Militello, 19, were booked into jail, accused of illegal production and other marijuana-related offenses.

Narcotics task force commander Jamie Clark said the teens are medical marijuana card holders and claimed a right to grow marijuana under a voter-approved initiative. But Clark said they exceeded allowable thresholds under Arizona's medical marijuana act.

Clark said some 60 plants, ranging from 3 to 6 feet tall, were located in two rooms that had been converted into sophisticated growing environments.

Clark said the suspects were entitled to grow no more than 24 plants under the law.

Clark said the 4½ pounds of marijuana taken at the scene far exceeded a 5-ounce threshold. He said the half pound of hashish seized on the property also moved Militello and Salem out of what might be permitted under the medical marijuana act.