Man held, woman released in alleged EHT pot production facility

An Egg Harbor Township man could face life in prison after a stolen gun and marijuana-production facility were found inside his home.

Victor Matias, 31, and Gabrielle Zachodylo, 19, were arrested earlier this month, after township police and Atlantic County SWAT raided their unit in the Townhomes at Cambridge with a no-knock warrant.

A Glock 19X reported stolen from Texas and loaded with 17 rounds was found in the main bedroom near a holster, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.

There were also three additional large-capacity magazines, including two with a 30-round capacity, the affidavit claims.

The second bedroom had been transformed into a marijuana-growing and manufacturing facility, with 75 plants, soil, irrigation and ventilation systems, grow tents and lights, according to the charges.

Matias also had about $1,600 in his wallet believed to be proceeds from drug distribution.

Neither he nor Zachodylo had a license to operate a recreational cannabis business, the charges claim.

Matias told police that the drugs and gun were his and that Zachodylo never possessed any of it, the affidavit claims.

The couple’s relationship was not clear.

Zachodylo faces 10 charges in the case. She was released from jail after the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office chose not to file a motion to detain her.

Matias faces the same charges, including an additional charge of possession of a weapon by a certain person due to his criminal history.

He has a criminal history dating to 2011, which includes a 2013 unlawful possession of a weapon charge out of Egg Harbor Township that also included marijuana possession, court records show.

That history coupled with a first-degree charge of maintaining a marijuana-production facility also opens him up to a potential life sentence, according to information released at his detention hearing.

In most detention hearings, the presumption is for release with the state bearing the burden to prove detention is necessary.

But because of potential life sentence, the presumption was for detention in Matias’ case.

Attorney Mark Roddy argued against detention, and pointed out that the biggest marijuana producer in the state is now the state after the legalization of cannabis.

He also called five family members who testified that Matias would show up to his court dates.

But Judge Joseph Levin found the arguments did not overcome the presumption to detain.

Matias will now remain in the Atlantic County Justice Facility as the case proceeds through the court.