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Reported marijuana grow operation found in school employee's basement

A South Park Township man is accused of having a marijuana grow operation in his basement.

Channel 11 has confirmed Dale Schultz was an employee of the South Park School District and has been suspended, with pay, while the administration investigates.

Schultz is a maintenance and custodial worker in the district.

A spokesperson says that Schultz is an hourly employee and has been suspended, pending an investigation.

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According to the criminal complaint, Schultz's wife contacted police last Wednesday and told them "her husband has been growing marijuana plants in the basement of their home."

South Park police say they found two grow rooms in the basement, along with grow lights, a ventilation system and 23 marijuana plants from the home on Terrace Avenue.

He's now facing four charges, including possession.

He will be in court for a preliminary hearing July 19.

Channel 11 went to Schultz's neighborhood and talked to people who knew him.

"They were always nice people to us," said Angela Lauria, who lives next door. "A family, so you just never know."

"It's a quiet neighborhood up here, everybody knows each other!" said Ed Opferman, another neighbor.

Neighbors are in shock after finding out what was allegedly going on inside of a rental property on Terrace Avenue in South Park.

Lauria witnessed the bust last Wednesday as she was getting home from work.

"There was cop cars in the back, cop cars in the front and the wife was out front with the police officer and there was officers in the back taking stuff out like lamps and equipment and plants," Lauria said. "I just think they're having problems, I guess, that's my assumption."

She moved to the neighborhood for a fresh start.

"I love South Park, but I'm not sure what it means for our future here, sadly," Lauria said.

Schultz was released from custody without paying bail, because he didn't have a criminal past and wasn't considered a flight risk.