Baker Case Update

A Paulding County grand jury returns indictments against someone who cultivated a large amount of marijuana at his home. Newlyn Baker, 43, of Haviland, is charged with illegal cultivation and possession of marijuana, both felonies. Following citizen tips, an investigation involving the Multi-area Narcotics Unit and a law enforcement helicopter discovered mature marijuana plants and a grow operation at Baker’s residence on Aug. 27. More than 20,000 grams of marijuana were confiscated. The cultivation charge was bumped up one notch on the felony scale because the operation apparently happened in the presence of a juvenile. A young daughter was living with Baker in the home. The case was presented to a grand jury following the completion of testing by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification. Baker is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 27 in a Paulding County courtroom.