A turtle, outfitted with a GPS system, led to the arrest of a man responsible for growing marijuana plants inside Rock Creek Park.

The plants were found just south of the Maryland line. A park ranger was tracking the turtle for an unrelated research project when it was found inside the field two weeks ago.

"It's just one of those crazy things,"said dog walker, Jim Ford. "I mean crazier things have happened in life, but that ranks right up there."

Park police immediately set up surveillance of the remote location, and eventually spotted 19-year-old Isiah Johnson tending to his ten marijuana plants. According to police, Johnson would park his car nearby and venture deep into the park's woods to tend to his plants. But little did he know, a turtle would lead to his arrest.

"The officers were able to follow him back to his vehicle...positively identifying him," said Sgt. Robert LaChance, U.S. Park Police.

Police later arrested Johnson at his Chevy Chase home in the 2300 block of Washington Blvd, and found more pot inside. The young adult is charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Neighbors are stunned, but insist the offender is a "very nice kid."

Neighbor, Thomas Gaffney, said the 19-year-old should get counseling for his offense, but not be put in jail.

Cindy Gossage regularly walks her dog in Rock Creek Park and said she is not surprised by what authorities found there. "Through the years of walking my dogs in the park, I have found several different fields of marijuana, some as high as me," said Gossage.

All the marijuana plants have been recovered by park police and the field has been cleared. As for Johnson, he's being held in Maryland and awaiting extradition to the District. If found guilty of the federal felony charges, he could face more than a year in prison.