(Spencer)– A two-year investigation in Spencer has lead to federal drug charges being filed against two northwest Iowans.
The investigation began back on May 17th, 2003 when Spencer police discovered a meth lab in a storage unit on 12th Street Southwest in Spencer. Police arrested 30-year-old Robert Ryker of Spencer and 25-year-old April Brown of Humboldt.
In June of 2004, a federal grand jury passed down a two-count indictment against both Ryker and Brown for violations of federal drug laws. At that time, Ryker pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of meth, and conspiracy to manufacture five grams or more of meth while aiding and abetting.
In June of this year, Ryker was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison and five years of probation once he gets out.
Brown was sentenced to serve two and-a-half years in prison for the first count, and an additional two and-a-half years on the second count.
The Spencer Police Department was assisted with the investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
