Investigators Find Machine Guns, Marijuana Operation in Hopkins Home

(UPDATED: 5:06 p.m. June 15) A Hopkins man is facing three felonies after a Southwest Hennepin Drug Task Force search of his home discovered a marijuana grow operation and 24 firearms, including two rifles classified as machine guns, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday.

On March 23, task force investigators went to the 17th Avenue South home of 59-year-old Michael Raymond Stone in order to execute a search warrant, according to charging documents written by Hopkins Police Officer Kevin Frederick. While searching the home they found nine marijuana plants, nearly a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of loose marijuana, numerous texts on growing marijuana and grow lights.

There were also 24 firearms, along with ammunition, according to the charging documents. Two of the firearms were homemade 9-millimeter rifles that were fully automatic, classifying them as machine guns under Minnesota law.

In a subsequent interview, Stone told officers he was “growing his pot.” He admitted that the guns belonged to his family and said he built the two machine guns.

Stone has been charged with

• One count of fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell while possessing a firearm, which carries a penalty of three to five years in prison and/or a $3,000 to $10,000 fine,
• Two counts of possession of a machine gun, each of which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Hopkins police arrested Stone on Wednesday morning. He posted $20,000 bond and was released Thursday.

A Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said the agency could not say anything beyond what it included in its announcement of the charges, including what led the task force to the home and whether the case is connected to any others.

The Southwest Hennepin Drug Task Force consists of officers and deputies from the Eden Prairie Police Department, , Edina Police Department, Minnetonka Police Department, St. Louis Park Police Department and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Stay up to date on all your local news. Sign up for the free Hopkins Patch newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Editor James Warden's Pinterest boards. Do you own a local business? to learn about five easy ways your business can use Patch.