to the path.  The agents found Patch 4 at the end of a third path leading from the clearing behind the Marlow home.  This patch contained 176 plants.  A garden hose also led to Patch 4.  This hose originated at the blue building.  Four-wheeler tracks led to the path to Patch 4.


11
The agents described the land surrounding the patches as rugged, hilly and covered with dense brush.  The paths were the only realistic access to the patches.  Finally, all of the plants had been "sexed."   This means that whoever grew the plants removed the males to prevent dilution of the more powerful THC in the female plants.

II

12
Marlow argues that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient for thevisitors to the jails, according to Mr Birotte.

"The pattern of activity alleged in the obstruction of justice case shows how some members of the Sheriff's Department considered themselves to be above the law," he said.

"Serious misconduct", including instances of excessive force and filing false reports, became "institutionalised", Mr Birotte added.

Sheriff's officials also reportedly moved an FBI informant in an effort to thwart the internal probe.

The sheriff's officials allegedly moved the inmate and changed his name in the department's internal inmate database to show falsely that he had been released, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The American Civil Liberties Union had previously accused the sheriff's department of more than 70 cases of misconduct by deputies and sued in 2012.

Following the allegations, the county appointed a former county prosecutor in November