An Auburndale youth soccer team coach is accused of running a marijuana grow house.

  • Micah Crane is a volunteer youth soccer coach
  • Crane is accused of operating grow house in Winter Haven

Micah Crane, 36, is facing five charges including trafficking and cultivating cannabis.

After receiving an anonymous tip, Polk County deputies found more than 30 pounds of processed marijuana and more than 300 plants in a house on Elliot Lane in Winter Haven. Deputies also found 100 Ziplock packages of cannabis inside two separate freezers inside the residence. Crane is also accused of stealing $4,600 worth of electricity.

People living on Elliot Lane called the arrest a total surprise.

“We thought he lived there. He had a dog that was there and he’d wash the car in the driveway. He put candy out for the kids at Halloween. Decorated at Christmas time. Put lights out at Christmas time. Just seemed like an all-around nice person,” said Joan Slevin.

Crane is a volunteer youth soccer coach for the Auburndale Youth Soccer Club, also known as the “Auburndale Scream” Youth Soccer Club.

Its President, Jason Herzog, sent Bay News 9 a statement stating, “Micah Crane was a volunteer recreational coach who passed all the necessary background and risk management checks. Per the Florida Youth Soccer Association, he will be suspended pending due legal process.”

Dale Burke, the Executive Director of the Florida Youth Soccer Association, which oversees the Auburndale Scream Youth Soccer Club, called Crane’s crimes “intolerable” and said, “The Florida Youth Soccer Association does not tolerate or condone actions that would be detrimental to the safety of players, affiliates, parents, administrators or other coaches.”

Burke said the coaches are given background checks on an annual basis.

Detectives are asking the public for any information they have about Crane’s activities related to the growing and trafficking marijuana.

Detectives would like to know other addresses where Crane has been seen or where he may live. Call 863-298-6200 or email tips@polksheriff.org.
Crane is being held at the Polk County jail on $151,000 bond.