Metro officers stumbled on a marijuana grow operation while investigating recent burglaries and acts of vandalism.
According to a report from Metro Nashville Police, 11 pot plants were sitting in plain sight around a tent at a homeless camp in North Nashville.
Officers were investigating a rape on Tuesday when they found the homeless camp located just south of Herman Street between 21st and 22nd Avenue North.
Detectives reportedly found the pot the next day when they went to conduct interviews on recent burglaries and vandalism they'd seen in the neighborhood.
Other people living at the camp said the plants and tent belonged to Ernie Hattabaugh. Police said there was a sticker with his name on it on the outside of the tent.
More loose marijuana and an EBT card with Hattabaugh's name on it were also found inside the tent, police said.
The area is a drug-free zone because of a nearby church and college. Hattabaugh was booked on felony drug charges.
