Details emerge about Mendocino pot garden victim

<p>A suspected marijuana grower who was fatally shot by a Mendocino County officer Tuesday once lived in Santa Rosa, was married, had a 4-year-old son and also had a prior criminal record.</p><p>Angel Farias Hernandez, 24, leveled a rifle at law enforcers as they entered a huge marijuana garden in remote northeastern Mendocino County, Sheriff's officials said. Law officials seized 11,635 marijuana plants from three gardens in the area following the shooting.</p><p>A cousin in Santa Rosa confirmed that Hernandez had a wife and son but was unclear how long he had lived in the area.</p><p>Hernandez worked as a landscaper in Santa Rosa and was arrested in 2008 on suspicion of transporting and selling marijuana and conspiracy to commit a crime.</p><p>Mendocino County Court records show that Hernandez was arrested on Highway 101near Laytonville by officers who had tracked him from a marijuana growing area in Humboldt County. He had $20,000 in cash in his car.</p><p>In February he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and forfeited the $20,000, said his former defense attorney, Mark Kalina.</p><p>Kalina described his former client as easy going, soft spoken and well mannered. </p><p>The shooting remains under investigation.</p>