Waynesboro man charged in alleged marijuana growing operation

WAYNESBORO - A Waynesboro man called the local judge's office to ask why authorities were conducting a search of his home, which turned up 18 plants and other evidence of an alleged marijuana growing operation, police said. 

Ryan Zachery Chase-Zerphy, 26, is charged with felony manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, according to court documents filed on Nov. 19. He was arraigned Friday, Nov. 30 and released on $75,000 unsecured bail. 

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The search was conducted by officers with the Franklin County Drug Task Force, Washington Township Police Department and the Waynesboro Police Department the morning of Nov. 13 at Chase-Zerphy's residence on North Garfield Street. Police said they found two grow tents, with one containing plants that had been harvested and another containing 18 plants still growing in buckets, according to court documents. 

A woman who answered the door told police she had been living there since April. She said she believed Chase-Zerphy began growing the marijuana in either July or August, according to documents.

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In addition to the plants and loose marijuana, authorities seized two handguns, three rifles, one shotgun, grow lights, ventilation fans, floor fans, dehumidifiers, scales, smoking devices and packaging materials, according to court documents. 

During the search, Chase-Zerphy contacted the office of Waynesboro Magisterial District Judge Annie Gomez-Shockey to ask why authorities were out his house. Police said he was originally told to go to the home to learn why, but he never arrived and did not respond to requests for calls. 

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 11 in Franklin County Central Court.