COLBERT COUNTY- Alisa Lynn Balentine is the latest person arrested in a sweeping and ever-growing multi-state police action involving a large marijuana growing/processing operation. Balentine, 36 of Sheffield turned herself in to the Colbert County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday, December 21. She was transported to Tennessee authorities on multiple counts of alleged marijuana growing, procession, and distribution from a massive operation just north of the Alabama-Tennessee State Line.
Alisa Lynn Balentine
According to Sheriff authorities, Balentine is connected with a well-known optometrist, Dr. Stuart Marc Greenberg of Muscle Shoals, who was arrested in Colbert County on multiple felony counts.
Alisa Lynn Balentine
According to Law Enforcement authorities, Greenberg, Balentine, and other, as-yet unnamed persons were operating a very large growing and processing lab which was producing THC for bootleg vape cartridges. The facility, once named Johnny’s Club in Iron City, Tennessee, was the site where the illicit operation allegedly took place.
Inside the THC processing facility in Iron City, Tennessee
According to an informed source, this type of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, was being processed into vape cartridges. Greenburg and his accomplices were allegedly running the type of operation that has been suspected as the leading cause of multiple illnesses and deaths according to the Center for Disease Control. Wayne County Sheriff Shane Fisher said that the busted operation was using methods and chemicals that even legitimate operations refrain from using.
Greenberg posted a $355-thousand bond and was released from Colbert County Jail on Friday. Balentine remains in custody in Tennessee where she was transported over the weekend. Bond has not yet been set for her.
Greenberg’s problems continue to escalate. Colbert County District Attorney has issued two civil lawsuits against assets and real property, owned by Greenberg, under State Law that provides for seizure and confiscation of property used in felony cases, such as the ones he is charged with. His large home on the Cypress Lakes Golf Course in Muscle Shoals at 102 Saint Andrews Drive in named in the confiscation suit.
Dr. Stuart Marc Greenberg
Additionally almost $900-thousand in cash was named in the suit, along with three Bitcoins, valued at around $80-thousand each. The lawsuit stipulates that Greenberg may stay at his home while out on bail for up to 6 months or until the date of judgment in the Circuit Court of Colbert County, Alabama…whichever shall occur first. The site of the alleged growing operation is also under process for seizure, along with some other, unnamed, properties and assets as they become identified.
Dr. Stuart Mark Greenberg’s home at Cypress Lakes Golf Club
Greenberg was also charged with carrying an unlicensed firearm, a Sturm-Ruger LC9 semi-automatic 9mm pistol.
Sturn-Ruger LC9 9mm Pistol (File Photo)
The pistol was found in the approximate location of illegal controlled substances and was used to facilitate the possession, storing and distribution of illegal controlled substances, according to the complaint.
