Charges against two of the three defendants in a marijuana growing operation case have been bound over to a Grand Jury.

On Monday morning, Joshua D. White, 41, Crystal S. White, 37, and David T. Brodin Jr., 29, all of Elizabethton, appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court. Each of the three faces charges of possession of Schedule VI drugs for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing of a controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for the manufacture of a controlled substance, and child neglect.

Randy Regan, the attorney for Crystal White, and Joseph Fuson, the attorney for Joshua White, informed the court that their clients wished to waive their right to a preliminary hearing in the case and have their charges bound over to the Grand Jury.

Bowers granted the request and bound the case over. The Grand Jury is next scheduled to meet on July 11. Bowers instructed both Crystal White and Joshua White to appear in Carter County Criminal Court on July 31 in reference to their charges.

Brodin’s attorney was not able to appear with his client in court on Monday due to an illness. Bowers reset Brodin’s case for June 20 in General Sessions Court for a preliminary hearing in the case.

The charges against Crystal White, Joshua White, and David Brodin stem from an investigation by the Elizabethton Police Department’s Vice Unit and the execution of a search warrant at a home where all three suspects were living.

According to court documents, investigators executed a search warrant at the home located at 613 W. E St., on Feb. 1. Officers obtained the search warrant following an investigation into reports of drug activity at the residence.

During the search, officers said they found 99 marijuana plants and a marijuana growing operation. According to police, the growing system featured grow lights and other equipment as well as “numerous items” of drug paraphernalia. Officers also reported finding a plant growing ledger in the home.

“There were numerous jars of processed marijuana that had been cut from the plants,” stated an undercover officer in the warrants filed with the court. “The marijuana was well in excess of what is considered to be marijuana possession for resale.”

The undercover officer said he advised Crystal White of her Miranda Rights and she agreed to talk with him. “(Crystal) White stated that she assisted with the marijuana grow, but she claimed the marijuana was for personal use,” the officer said. “She also confirmed that (Joshua) White and Brodin took part in the marijuana grow.”

“There was a 12-year-old juvenile that was identified as residing at the residence. There was also a 5-year-old that was identified as occasionally staying at the residence with Brodin. Brodin is the father of the 5-year-old,” the officer added. “An indoor marijuana grow is a risk to young children due to the possibility of respiratory illnesses.”