Edward Smith Courtesy of McHenry County Sheriff's Office

A Lakemoor man who police said had a “sophisticated” pot-growing operation in his home pleaded guilty Wednesday to unlawful production of marijuana.

Edward Smith Jr., 58, was sentenced to 24 months of first offender probation, 30 hours of public service, and ordered to pay $3,450 in fines and fees, according to an order signed by Judge Mark Gerhardt in McHenry County court.

When Smith was arrested in November, police said they were following up on a tip and found 142 pot plants and 724.5 grams of marijuana, or about 1.6 pounds, in Smith’s home.

Lakemoor Deputy Chief Bob Johnson described what police found as a “pretty sophisticated grow operation.”

“Plants were found throughout the residence in nearly every room,” Johnson said.

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