HAMMOND | Maybe it was the electric bill that was twice as high as it should have been -- or all the specialized hydroponics growing supplies that were seen outside the home.

Or maybe it was the large marijuana stem discovered in the garbage can.

Whatever the tip-off was, police convinced a Hammond federal magistrate judge there was more than ample evidence for probable cause to raid a Hammond home suspected of harboring a large drug-growing operation, federal court records show.

Inside the home at 714 Willow Court, federal, state and Hammond agents discovered 555 live marijuana plants along with air filters, growing lights, irrigation equipment, fertilizers, scales, growing manuals, a .22-caliber rifle with 690 rounds of ammunition and several devices used for smoking marijuana, court records state.

Marlon K. Spears pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court Monday to a charge of possessing with intent to distribute more than 100 marijuana plants. The home was raided Aug. 1.

The complaint filed against Spears states that he admitted to growing marijuana for the past few months because he has been unable to find a job as a result of his past sexual assault conviction against a 13-year-old girl when he was 23.

Spears denies selling any of the drugs, saying he only gave it away to family members, cousins and friends.