Iowa City woman accused of selling marijuana

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City woman could spend up to 30 years in prison for dealing marijuana.

According to criminal complaints, on March 4, the Johnson County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at 2023 Davis Street, the home of 26-year-old Marvella A. Lindsey. Police said when they entered the residence, Lindsey was trying to flush individually packaged plastic bags of marijuana down the toilet.

According to a search warrant affidavit, the investigation into Lindsey began when officers were investigating another man, 26-year-old Tremel T. Wilkins.

The warrant states that on Jan. 29, 2015, the Coralville Police Department learned about a pending crack cocaine sale. Police located the seller and found him to be in possession of crack cocaine. Later that day, a task force investigator spoke with the dealer, who agreed to cooperate with law enforcement as a confidential informant. The informant told police he had received the crack cocaine to sell from a man he identified as, 'Main.” 'Main” was eventually identified as Wilkins, who lives on Davis Street.

Police said the task force attempted two controlled purchases from Wilkins, but both were unsuccessful. However, during one of the attempted purchases, the informant mentioned a woman in the house who was selling marijuana: Lindsey.

Additionally, on January 30, the Iowa City Police Department's Crime Stoppers tip line received a tip about a man who goes by the name of 'Main” and a woman named Amber - Lindsey's middle name - who were selling large amounts of marijuana out of the Davis Street residence.

In February, task force investigators conducted a 'garbage rip” at 2023 Davis Street, according to the affidavit. A search of two garbage bags turned up documents attributed to both Wilkins and Lindsey, marijuana stems and seeds, corner tears and other drug packaging.

Property control forms included with the warrant lists items removed from the home on March 4, including a bag of individually wrapped plastic bags of marijuana found in the basement toilet, individual bags of marijuana found in the garage, cash, cellphones and other items.

Lindsey was arrested this week and faces charges of ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony, and controlled substance violation, a Class D felony. Wilkins is not yet in custody.