Marijuana charges against pilot dropped

All charges were dropped against a SkyWest pilot who was thought to be growing marijuana in his Truckee home.

Aaron White, 30, a pilot for SkyWest Airlines, was a suspect in a small marijuana cultivation operation in the Tahoe Donner home that he had been renting for only three weeks.

"Through some type of miscommunication with the Districts Attorney's office he was sent a citation letter ... when we would have liked the ability to track him down and interview him. But that didn't happen," said Sgt. Dan Johnston, Truckee Police Department.

The district attorney was not available for comment.

White's roommate, Christopher Peterson, pleaded guilty to marijuana cultivation, a felony. Although authorities still do not know where White is, they do believe he is currently out of the state. White was named as a suspect in growing marijuana Sept. 30.

after a town building inspector

and the owner of the home entered a newly built garage to make sure everything was up to

town building standards.

Eight or nine three-foot tall marijuana plants were found in the garage and, after police

obtained a search warrant, found another eight or nine plants in the residence.

The hydroponic growing operation, using water instead of dirt, included lights and carbon

dioxide dispensers.

Despite all the equipment, authorities said they believe the marijuana was intended for personal

use, not for sale.

According to reports, police also found a urine testing device, photos of growing marijuana in a

photo album, marijuana growing handbooks and receipts for marijuana growing equipment.