DOVER-FOXCROFT – A Guilford man was indicted Thursday by a Piscataquis County grand jury on charges related to a marijuana-growing operation discovered during surveillance by a Maine Army National Guard helicopter that crashed during the flight.

Michael G. Davis, 56, was charged with intentionally and knowingly growing or cultivating 100 or more but fewer than 500 marijuana plants on July 9, 2003.

During the surveillance, the pilot of the Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter hovered over the plants on the Back Abbot Road in Abbot so law enforcement personnel could find the area.

Just before Piscataquis County deputies and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agents arrived at the scene, the helicopter went down, apparently for mechanical reasons.

The pilot of walked away from the crash.

Before the crash, the pilot told police that he could see two people tending to the plants and a canoe along the shore of the Piscataquis River. A pickup truck also was in the area, he reported. The people fled the area when they spotted the helicopter.

At the time, Sheriff John Goggin said the marijuana operation was extensive. He said the owners had cleared the land and fertilized the crops and had fenced the area and placed mothballs around to deter animals from eating the crop.

Also indicted this week were the following:

Dennis E. Boutilier, 23, Abbot, gross sexual assault.

Harold Emery Sr., 41, Brownville, gross sexual assault, three counts of violation of protective order, two counts of violation of conditions of release.

Jacey C. Lyford, 19, Milo, three counts of burglary, two counts of theft, one count of violation of conditions of release.

Alan D. Oldham, 40, Guilford, unlawful sexual contact.

Bradley W. Stone, 40, Bradford, marijuana cultivation, operating an all-terrain vehicle while under influence of intoxicants.

Ivan D. Thompson, 38, Newburgh, marijuana cultivation.