A 31-year-old Albert Lea man on Wednesday was charged in Freeborn County District Court with felony drug possession after officers executed a search warrant at his apartment on Tuesday.

Michael Thomas Batten faces one count of fifth-degree marijuana possession.

According to court documents, officers reportedly found at least eight bags of marijuana, three 5-inch marijuana plants, at least 11 marijuana pipes, a grinder, a digital scale, and a marijuana press during a search of the apartment at 212 S. Washington Ave.

The search warrant was executed at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Court records state a Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputy talked with Batten, who was cooperative with the search.

He showed the officers various items including marijuana drug paraphernalia and bags of marijuana.

Batten reportedly had two bags, which field-tested positive as 15 grams of marijuana, in his pocket, along with 40 grams of marijuana in bags that were found in a safe.

The three marijuana plants were found growing in separate pots on a window sill.

A news release issued Wednesday afternoon stated officers with the South Central Drug Investigation Unit, with the assistance of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and the Albert Lea Police Department, executed the warrant.

Fifth-degree marijuana possession carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.