Yuba County marijuana dispute turns into brawl

A fight over marijuana ended when a Linda man beat two men with a large tree branch, the Yuba County Sheriff's Department said Thursday.

Cole L. Younger, 49, was booked into the Yuba County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. He posted a $30,000 bail bond and was released a short time later.

The marijuana quarrel started just before 6 p.m. Tuesday when brothers Ronald and Brian Davis went to Younger's home in the 5800 block of Rupert Avenue to collect plants they claimed belonged to them, sheriff's Lt. Damon Gil said.

"They came to get the plants in a U-Haul van," Gil said Thursday.

A large fight broke out behind Younger's home over ownership of the plants, Sheriff Steve Durfor said in a statement. Several other people joined the fight, but scattered before deputies arrived .

During the melee, someone pepper sprayed Younger, the department said. Deputies said Younger struck both men with the branch, causing head cuts.

The extent of their injuries was not clear Thursday, Gil said.

Ronald Davis, 46, is a Marysville resident. Brian Davis, 45, lives in Yuba City, the Sheriff's Department said. Younger is an unemployed carpenter.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.