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HELENA - Mike Chilinski pled guilty in federal court in Helena on Monday to felony charges of manufacturing more than 100 marijuana plants on his property between January and October of 2011.

Chilinski was recently found guilty on state charges of 91 counts of animal cruelty in Jefferson County.

Under Monday's plea, the federal prosecutor agreed to drop the charge of possession with intent to sell.

Chilinski has 40 days to pay $70,000 in order to keep his property and not have it turned over to the government.

He faces at least five years in federal prison, with up to 40 years on the manufacturing charge.

His sentencing is scheduled for April 13, 2013.

He'll be in federal custody in the meantime.

Chilinski still awaits sentencing on the animal cruelty charges.