NEW CASTLE, — State police have arrested an Ohio man in the shooting death of his partner in an illegal Western Pennsylvania marijuana growing operation.

Joseph Anthony Markijohn was jailed without bail Tuesday on charges of criminal homicide, robbery, theft and receiving stolen property.

Police say the 26-year-old from Ashtabula, Ohio, fatally shot Joseph Pagley III in the head on Dec. 28 at Pagley’s home in Neshannock Township.

Friends discovered the 26-year-old Pagley’s body in the basement in front of an empty safe.

Police say a check for Pagley found at the scene bore Markijohn’s signature.

Police say Markijohn told them he wrote the $8,200 check to pay for marijuana and to repay a loan.