MARION COUNTY — A 66-year-old Centralia man formally charged in Marion County Court Tuesday with manufacture and distribution of cannabis, was released from the Marion County Jail after posting $2,500 cash bond.

Jerry E. Kapes was formally charged with Class 1 felony manufacture with the intent to distribute between 2,000 and 5,000 grams of cannabis. If convicted, a Class 1 felony is punishable by between 4 and 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Kapes was arrested over the weekend when Centralia police reportedly located 10 pounds of cannabis hanging up to dry in the garage of Kapes’ Shook Lane residence.

He reportedly told officers he had planted four marijuana plants in May off of Norton Road, and had harvested his crop last week. Kapes allegedly told police he had decided to sell the marijuana to help pay bills.

Judge Mark Stedelin set bail for Kapes at $25,000, with special conditions of release that he abstain from drug and alcohol use and submit to random testing. Kapes is next scheduled in court November 3, at 11 a.m., for a first appearance with a court appointed attorney.