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SPANISH FORK — A Spanish Fork man was jailed Tuesday after police shut down a marijuana-growing operation.

Spanish Fork police said they found marijuana growing next to the bedrooms of the man’s children after a tip they received.

Police didn't find any evidence the man was selling the substance, and he told them it was for his own use.

"They searched the residence and in the basement located a room where marijuana was being grown, approximately 10 plants were found; an artificial light source as well as an irrigation system had been constructed in the basement,” Spanish Fork Police Lt. Matt Johnson said.

Those charges include suspicion of child endangerment, since some of Bingham's young children were in close proximity to the grow operation.

"There was a couple bedrooms that the children had been residing in adjacent to the room where the grow was occurring,” Johnson said.

Police also found what they call “a large amount of surgical supplies,” and believe they may have been stolen from the local hospital where Bingham is employed.

"Our detectives right now are trying to determine why he had those in his possession, and they are following up on that so some additional theft charges could be added,” Johnson said.

It will be up to prosecutors to decide what charges Bingham will face. The suspect remains in the Utah County jail.

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