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Deputies arrested Mario Bertirotti, 37, and Amy Bertirotti, 29, Sunday after county fire officials discovered the couple had allegedly been growing marijuana in two rooms of their home, said Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Price.
Officials booked Mario Bertirotti on suspicion of unlawful marijuana cultivation and Amy Bertirotti on suspicion of possessing the narcotic controlled substance Oxycontin, sheriff’s officials said.
Fire officials discovered the growth when they responded to a fire at the couple’s home, which had been ignited by the pumps and filter of an indoor aquarium, Price said.
“(The fire) burned a hole in the wall and on the roof,” Price said. “So when the fire department was at the location and checking ventilation to see if fire spread into the attic, that’s when they discovered two rooms of plants.”
A total of 47 marijuana plants was found in the home, said sheriff’s Lt. Brenda Cambra.
Mario Bertirotti told sheriff’s officials he had the marijuana for personal use and investigators uncovered no evidence he had been selling it, Price said.
Mario showed proof of doctor-recommended marijuana use, he said.
Both suspects posted bail and both were released later Sunday, Price said. They are due in Santa Clarita Court on March 18.
They had young children who also were living in the house, he said.
“It appears the children’s room had one bed for two small children in one room,” Price said. “And the other two rooms were designed for the cultivation of marijuana plants.”
The couple’s immediate neighbor Jesse Zavala said he had “no idea” the couple was growing marijuana in their home.
“I never knew the guy,” Zavala said. “They usually kept to themselves most of the time.”
Trish Lunetta, who lives across the street from the Bertirottis, said she had never been in the house but considered the Bertirottis to be good neighbors.
“They’re a good mom and dad,” Lunetta said. “They’re good pet owners.”
Neighbor Liz Huber, who lives two doors down from the Bertirottis, was skeptical whether the man was using the marijuana for medical use.
“I feel bad for the kids,” she said. “That’s not a good environment to raise them in.”
