The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - On October 7, Columbia County Sheriff's Deputies, along with officers from the Walla Walla SWAT Team, executed a search warrant at the home of Robert Klingenstein in Dayton. Klingenstein, 68, was arrested after officers found large quantities of marijuana plants growing at the home, as well as other drugs and paraphernalia.

The Columbia County Prosecutor's Office has charged Klingenstein with manufacture of marijuana; possession of marijuana with intent to deliver; possession of three other drugs: methamphetamine, hydrocodone and psilocin mushrooms; and possession of used drug paraphernalia.

Klingenstein was booked into Columbia County Jail on October 7 and released on a $20,000 appearance bond on October 9. He was scheduled for arraignment and entry of plea on October 15.

According to the probable cause document from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Klingenstein was alone in the home when officers arrived. Multiple marijuana plants were found growing in the garden next to the house and in two grow rooms inside the home. In addition, several packages of dried marijuana were also found in the home and in the garage, along with other drugs and paraphernalia.

Officers also found two notebooks in the home, which they believed to be drug ledgers.

When he was arrested, Klingenstein showed officers a medical marijuana card he had for himself and medical marijuana cards belonging to two other people.

Officers found a total of 117 marijuana plants growing in different stages and more than 30 pounds of packaged marijuana. Klingenstein was allowed to keep 72 ounces of finished marijuana and 44 marijuana plants, which were allowed based on the medical permits he had. The remaining drugs and paraphernalia were seized.