A suspected marijuana grower accused of stealing approximately $37,000 worth of electricity to illegally cultivate marijuana plants in a Moreno Valley home was out of custody Friday after posting $7,500 bail.
Ricky Khamphoung, 31, of Moreno Valley was arrested Thursday about noon at a home in the 11000 block of Vista De Cerros Drive that had allegedly been illegally converted for indoor cannabis cultivation, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Martinez.
Khamphoung was taken into custody and booked the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of felony utility theft and illegal marijuana cultivation, sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies served a search warrant at the home stemming from a call by neighbor alleging the property was a “drug house,” where 56 suspected marijuana plants were found growing inside, officials said.
Authorities said people were also living at the home.
Southern California Edison officials located a makeshift bypass to the home’s electrical system, as well as an un-permitted electrical panel in the garage, which were allegedly used to steal electricity for the grow.
A Moreno Valley Code Compliance officer responded and determined the house was unsafe to live in.
Anyone with additional information about the grow was urged to call Deputy Vicente Sablan at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951-486-6700.