Iowa City police arrest two in undercover drug, weapon probe

Two Iowa City residents face multiple drug and weapon charges after being arrested during an undercover police operation.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, Iowa City police arrived at 2140 Davis St. after learning that Andrew L. Pearson and Letty M. Nash, who both lived at that address, were trying to sell a 9-millimeter handgun, according to police reports.

Pearson had previously been convicted of a felony, and police determined that the gun, which was loaded, was stolen.

Officers conducted a controlled purchase of the gun from Nash for $400.

During the same investigation, police executed a search warrant based on two prior police investigations, on Jan. 14 and 19. In those investigations, police said marijuana was sold by Pearson to a person cooperating with police.

Police said a saleable amount of marijuana, cash, a digital scale, packaging materials, and other items used in the sales of illegal drugs were also found during the investigation after Pearson sold police the stolen gun.

Pearson, 25, faces charges of trafficking in stolen weapons, possession of a firearm as a felon, possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver in possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of marijuana, keeping a drug house, an Iowa drug tax-stamp violation, and a fourth-degree theft charge for the stolen gun.

Police said Pearson later admitted that he knew the gun was stolen and loaded, and admitted he knew he was a felon in possession of a firearm.

Nash, 24, faces charges of trafficking in stolen weapons, keeping a drug house, an Iowa drug tax stamp violation, and a fourth-degree theft charge for the stolen gun.

Police said Nash admitted that the gun was stolen.

Both Pearson and Nash were also charged with child endangerment for having their four-month-old child present throughout the sale of the marijuana and the loaded gun.

Pearson and Nash were in the Johnson County Jail Thursday. A bond has not yet been set.