NEWS: Attorney files complaint against DEA

DENVER, Colorado - A medical marijuana lawyer says he's filed a complaint with the Justice Department after Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested a man running a large medical marijuana operation in Highlands Ranch.

"What we are doing with this letter is filing a formal complaint with the Inspector General, Department of Justice which is tasked with investigating waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct. I think these actions yesterday fit all those categories," Attorney Rob Corry told 9Wants to Know Saturday.

DEA agents seized more than 150 marijuana plants from Chris Bartkowicz's house Friday near C-470 and University Boulevard, according to DEA Spokesman Mike Turner.

A federal official told 9NEWS a neighbor called the DEA after becoming concerned Bartkowicz was growing marijuana in the house.

Corry's letter to the Justice Department called for action to be taken against DEA Special Agent in Charge Jeff Sweetin, who ordered Friday's raid.

"I don't think they fully understand what they are doing. I don't think they fully understand the outrage from Colorado's population if they continue with this campaign of fear an intimidation," Corry told 9NEWS.

"I think it's a tactical error on their part and I think it's over reaching and the people will rise up and have something to say about this," he said.

Saturday night Sweetin responded in a statement to 9NEWS.

"DEA has received significant community support, especially from the Highlands Ranch community, of our enforcement actions yesterday. The targeting of criminal enterprises that profit significantly from the cultivation and distribution of marijuana remain a priority of the Department and DEA," he wrote.

"We will continue to do our job - to enforce the federal drug laws of the United States," Sweetin added.

Sweetin says even though state law allows for medical marijuana, federal law does not.

Bartkowicz was arrested the same day a news story on his medical marijuana growing operation was set to air on 9NEWS.

"I'm the poster boy now," Bartkowicz told 9Wants to Know in an interview from jail.

He said he believed his operation followed medical marijuana laws and wanted to show the public growers can be responsible.

"We work hard and aren't just people who want to smoke pot all the time," Bartkowicz said. "My intent was to show that growers care for houses. We construct well-made rooms for good growing environments."

"I figured I was in the right. I didn't figure I had anything to hide," he said. "If I am legal, why should I be in the shadows?"

The United States Attorney's office will review the evidence collected and could decide Tuesday if charges will be filed against Bartkowicz. He is also expected to make his first appearance in federal court on Tuesday.

Source: 9News