A set of strange instructions given by a man to a witness of an arrest was just enough to lead authorities to a marijuana grow operation he was allegedly running.

Ryan James Pflug, 37, was charged in Flathead District Court last week with a single count of felony manufacture of dangerous drugs.

Court documents claim Pflug was taken into custody somewhere in Flathead County after a domestic disturbance with a woman on Aug. 27, 2015.

After being arrested, Pflug allegedly gave the woman instructions to stay at his home, make sure that the air-conditioning remained on and make sure certain doors were open and that others remained closed in the home.

The instructions made more sense after the investigating sheriff’s deputy received information that Pflug might be growing marijuana in his home.

A search warrant was issued after the deputy learned Pflug did not have permission to grow marijuana.

A search on Aug. 28, 2015, allegedly revealed 28 marijuana plants, two bags of marijuana “shake,” multiple grow lights, two digital scales and a safe containing $2,060.

An arraignment date had not been set as of press time.

Federal court records show that Pflug was released from federal prison in 2007 after being sentenced to 51 months in imprisonment and three years supervised release after being convicted of distributing marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He has also been charged and convicted of multiple lesser marijuana-related crimes in North Dakota over the past 15 years.

The Northwest Drug Task Force and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office worked the most recent case.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.