A Butler man pleaded guilty Wednesday to running a marijuana grow operation in his two Oakland Township homes.

Chad E. Schnur, 46, arranged a deal in court with prosecutors, pleading guilty to one count of manufacturing or growing marijuana plants with intent to deliver. The plea deal calls for a nine- to 23-month incarceration period with immediate parole. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Timothy McCune, who is presiding over the case, accepted the deal forged by Charles Nedz, Schnur's public defender, and Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz, who is prosecuting the case.

The state police's vice unit discovered Schnur's operation on May 24, 2017, when they led a “knock and talk” investigation at his Route 68 home. A knock and talk investigation is an informal police method during which officers follow up on a possible tip by speaking with a suspect without a warrant.

In this case, one of the officers allegedly smelled marijuana on the property, where police found two homes. The defendant admitted that he had plants in one home, according to court documents, and in the basement of the other home.

Police said he allowed them to search both properties.

The search turned up 67 marijuana plants, ranging in height from 6 inches to a foot, in the basement of one home, documents said. Additionally, police seized 39 cups containing marijuana seedlings.

Along with the plants, they said they found items for growing marijuana.

In the other home, according to investigators, police found 11 marijuana plants that were about 3 feet tall.

The search also allegedly turned up 12 bottles of growing chemicals, lamps, thermostats, timers, a fan, filter and ballast.

Schnur will be sentenced on Oct. 10.