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9 arrested on drug charges in Fayette County
Authorities conduct five raids, finding drugs and guns
Nov. 20, 2023 1:09 pm, Updated: Nov. 20, 2023 2:19 pm
Nine people — including two juveniles — face drug charges after five weekend raids across Fayette County uncovered marijuana, methamphetamine, pills and guns, authorities said Monday.
Search warrants were executed Saturday and Sunday at 202 S. Walnut St. in West Union; 317 E. Plum St. in West Union; 5261 Great River Road in Clermont; 118 First Avenue NE in Waucoma; and 103 Third St. NE in Waucoma, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Between the five locations, authorities say they found one pound of marijuana, including THC oils and edibles; multiple grams of methamphetamine; numerous pills and drug paraphernalia; and 22 firearms including rifles, shotguns and pistols.
The warrants were performed by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the West Union Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Northeast Iowa Task Force, the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and the Postville Police Department.
The following nine people were arrested on a total of 90 charges, according to authorities. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office says it still is looking into lodging additional drug and gun charges:
- Bryan Lee Rear, 41, of West Union, is charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of gathering where controlled substances are used, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful possession of a prescription drug and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Joseph Timothy John Wellman, 43, of Fayette, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of gathering where controlled substances are used, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, three counts of unlawful possession of a prescription drug and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Judith Ann Green, 52, of Postville, is charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of gathering where controlled substances are used, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful possession of a prescription drug and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Tina Marie Schuler, 45, of West Union, is charged with possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, two counts of child endangerment, operating while intoxicated and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Tina Opitz, 47, of West Union, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of animal neglect.
- Nicole Alissa Kleppe, 42, of Waucoma, is charged with distribution of illegal substances to a person under 18, four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of gathering where controlled substances are used, two counts of drug tax stamp violations, one count of delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one count each of unlawful possession of prescription drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Kylee Kay Lickiss, 20, of Westgate, is charged with two counts of gathering where controlled substances are used, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count each of interference with official acts and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- A 17-year-old from Waucoma who was not identified is charged with distribution of illegal substances to a person under 18, four counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of gathering where controlled substances are used, two counts of drug tax stamp violations, delivery of a controlled substance, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count each of unlawful possession of prescription drugs, interference with official acts and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- A 16-year-old from Waucoma who was not identified is charged with two counts of gathering where controlled substances are used, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one count each of interference with official acts and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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