A Northwest Missouri State University Professor accused of an inappropriate Facebook post will not be charged with a crime for the post. He will be charged with drug offenses after a search of his house in Maryville turned up what the prosecutor and campus police chief called a marijuana growing operation.

Nodaway County Prosecutor Bob Rice tells us the Facebook post, about going to the campus bell tower with a high powered rifle, was very likely a joke.

(click here for more on the post and the reaction on campus)

“Basically I have to show that a comment is made with a serious intent to threaten others,” Rice said in an interview.

“If I cannot show that mental state that it was made seriously and not just a joke, then I don’t have the proof beyond a reasonable doubt to proceed with that charge.”

As it turns out the investigation led them in another direction. Authorities searched the home of the instructor Friday morning.

“When we searched his house, again, we were looking for anything that would give us a peek into his mind to confirm whether or not he was being serious, or if he was, in fact, joking. When we executed the search warrant we found a growing operation of marijuana.”

According to a court affidavit, the search turned up approximately ten live plants underneath heated lights, and multiple bags of marijuana, including dried marijuana, and multiple bongs and smoking pipes.

Chief Clarence Green of the Northwest Missouri State University Police Department, said there was more than the statutory 35 grams of marijuana in the house, at 602 West 2nd Street in Maryville.

The evidence was sufficient for Rice to file two counts against Rouch, producing a controlled substance, a class-b felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a class-c felony.

Rouch faces arraignment on Tuesday. Bond was set at $25,000, and Rouch remains in custody.

On Thursday the university issued a statement saying it had suspended Rouch pending completion of an internal investigation.