GENTRY — When police responded to a disturbance call involving a husband and wife at 1240 Crafton Place in Gentry, they found more than they expected. Not only did they find a man and the gun he is alleged to have carried while threatening his wife and a stepson, they found marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Gentry police responded to a call in which a man is alleged to have pulled a gun on his wife. When they arrived, they found Larry D. Tedford, 69, unarmed outside his home. His wife, Pamela Tedford, explained that Larry Tedford had exchanged words with her son, Travis Ryan, telling him to get off the property. She said Larry Tedford then went inside, where he retrieved a pistol from the bedroom and came outside and began waving it around as he threatened Ryan, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Larry Tedford is alleged to have told his stepson to get off his property or he (Larry Tedford) would kill him, the affidavit states. Pamela Tedford said she feared for her life, as well as for the life of her son, according to the affidavit. Ryan told police that Tedford pointed the gun at the stomach of his mother (Pamela Tedford), the affidavit states.
Larry Tedford told police he grabbed the gun for his own safety and never pointed it at anybody, the affidavit states.
When Pamela Tedford showed police where the gun was located inside the house, police could smell the strong order of marijuana, the affidavit states, and police saw a room with the light on and a door open which had marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia in plain sight. After receiving consent to search, police found two marijuana plants, grow lights, a bong, pipe screens, scissors, ground up marijuana and baggies of packaged marijuana, according to the affidavit. In the garage, police found four large marijuana plants, a grow light and an exhaust fan, according to the affidavit.
Also seized, according to police, were two handguns and a rifle, as well as an iPad which is alleged to have evidence on it relating to the marijuana-growing operation.
Three young children, ages 1 to 4, were also in the house during the disturbance and when the marijuana was found, according to the affidavit.
Larry Tedford was transported to the Benton County Jail in connection with charges of aggravated assault on a family member (Class D felony), first degree assault on a family member (Class A misdemeanor), delivery of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class C felony), manufacture of a Schedule VI controlled substance (Class C felony), three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree (Class A misdemeanors), possession of drug paraphernalia (Class D felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor).
According to police, additional charges could include the simultaneous possession of a firearm and an illegal controlled substance. Police say the investigation is ongoing and charges could yet be filed against other individuals.
Larry Tedford was listed on the Benton County Jail log on Friday, with bond listed at $25,000.