2 Georgia men plead guilty in Neb. drug case

Associated Press - November 4, 2009 11:44 AM ET

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Two Georgia men facing federal charges for possessing and conspiring to distribute hundreds of marijuana plants growing in a central Nebraska field have pleaded guilty.

Twenty-9-year-old Jonathan Bales of Danielsville, Ga., and 58-year-old Thomas Bryant of Lexington, Ga., entered their pleas in U.S. District Court in Omaha on Monday.

Federal authorities charged the men last October, saying the two were involved in a growing operation involving more than 100 marijuana plants near Ericson, which is about 60 miles north of Grand Island.

Each faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Sentencing is set for Jan. 21.

Bales' attorney declined to comment on the case Wednesday. A phone message left for Bryant's attorney wasn't immediately returned.