RICHFIELD — A Richfield man faces felony marijuana possession charges after he called authorities to his home about a disturbance with a former roommate.

Rowan County authorities found 13 marijuana plants growing at his home, and a 14th was found the next day.

Jerry Wayne Wilson, 56, of the 2500 block of Wyatt Grove Church Road, was charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance Schedule VI; felony possession of a controlled substance Schedule VI; felony manufacturing a controlled substance Schedule VI; misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance Schedule VI; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Aug. 8, deputies were called to the mobile home because Wilson said he was having a problem with a former roommate. He wanted the woman to return to get the rest of her belongings.

Authorities discovered Wilson had some marijuana plants on his property. He confirmed to deputies that he had 13 plants along the wooded area on his property.

Officials said the plants measured 6 feet tall to 9 feet tall. Wilson told deputies he knew they would confiscate the plants but he wished they would leave him one. Wilson told authorities that he owned all the plants and that he’d been harvesting for a long time. Deputies seized all 13 plants.

Officers asked Wilson if he had other marijuana inside the home. Wilson told them he did. Deputies searched the home and found a white plastic bag with four red coffee containers that held marijuana. The deputies also found a smoking pipe and a clear container of marijuana.

Wilson told deputies he was taking care of his ailing 83-year-old mother and he would need to make arrangements for her. Deputies said they would obtain arrest warrants and return. Deputies agreed to work with Wilson since he’d been so cooperative, authorities said.

On Sunday, deputies returned to serve the arrest warrant, and Wilson asked them how many marijuana plants they had seized. He asked if they had seized 14 plants because that’s how many he had. Officers asked to see where the 14th plant was located, and Wilson showed them. Wilson said he has been trying to hide the last plant that was found close to his home.

The N.C. tax value on marijuana plants is about $2,000 per plant, Rowan County authorities said.

Authorities say the N.C. Department of Revenue requires anyone caught with illegal substances to pay a tax on the value of those items.

Wilson was issued a $2,000 secured bond and has since been released from the county jail.

Wilson has been convicted of a number of misdemeanor offenses including simple assault and driving while impaired. His most recent conviction was six years ago for felony speeding to elude arrest.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.