NORMAL - The co-owner of a Normal swim school pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing more than 50 marijuana plants found by police in July in the basement of the business.

Robbie Morger, 43, was arrested after a police task force found an indoor marijuana-growing operation at Happy Splashes Swim School.

Morger said after his arrest that he used marijuana to relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. He said the marijuana was for his use only.

In addition to the plants, police said they also seized several pieces of plant growing equipment in the basement of the building at One Normal Plaza. A pound of marijuana was found by police at Morger's home located in the 1000 block of North Maple Street, Normal, police said.

A charge of unlawful possession of marijuana was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. An April 4 sentencing date is set.