An Iowa City man was charged with allegedly growing marijuana in his basement.

Jason Kenjar, 30, 430 Ronalds St., was charged Wednesday with unlawful possession of a prescription drug, possession of a firearm with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and a drug tax-stamp violation.

According to Iowa City police, officers responded to 430 Ronalds St. after receiving a report of a burglary in progress. Officers said Kenjar told the police he had grabbed and discharged a handgun inside his residence and yelled at the unknown burglary suspect.

Kenjar suggested the burglary suspect was possibly in the basement, police said. While searching the lower level, officers found evidence that someone had been growing marijuana in the basement.

Kenjar denied officer request for permission to search the home. Police said officers obtained a search warrant, found the marijuana grow, and approximately 109 grams of marijuana.

Kenjar reportedly admitted to growing marijuana two weeks earlier, then changed his story and denied it, police said. Police said they also found four prescription pills and small round pills they identified as Ecstasy.

— by Nina Earnest