(Storm Lake)—A joint investigation involving the Buena Vista and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices and the Storm Lake Police Department have resulted in several drug-related arrests.
Authorities say it stems from the execution of several search warrants that were executed Friday and Saturday as part of an investigation into a methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
Buena Vista county authorities say deputies stopped a vehicle on Highway 71 south of Storm Lake after being informed that two suspects that were in it possessed precursors to manufacture methamphetamine. Officers made contact with 44-year-old David Specketer of rural Alta and 51-year-old Ruby Cowen of Storm Lake. Authorities found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of what’s alleged to be methamphetamine on Specketer.
Search warrants were then obtained an executed on Specketer’s vehicle, his residence, two residences in Storm Lake and one in Linn Grove. The search of Specketer’s residence resulted in authorities finding methamphetamine precursors and three firearms. The search of the Linn Grove residence turned up methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine precursors. The search of a residence at 621A West 9th Street in Storm Lake turned up drug paraphernalia and meth precursors. A search at 917 Erie Street in Storm Lake resulted in officers seizing a partial meth lab, precursors, and a small amount of marijuana. A search of the vehicle turned up meth precursors, a partial meth lab and methamphetamine.
Authorities then received information of a possible meth lab at a residence in Peterson. Officers obtained and executed a search warrant on that location, which turned up marijuana, drug paraphernalia, remnants of a meth lab and precursors for manufacturing meth. Authorities say an adult, 29 year-old Heather Hyde, was at the residence and was caring for two children there. The children were removed from Hyde’s custody and the Department of Human Services was contacted.
44-year-old David Specketer was arrested and charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than five grams of methamphetamine…a class “B” felony; possession of a firearm as a felon…a class “D” felony; and possession of precursors…a class “D” felony. He was booked into jail on a $110,000 bond.
51-year-old Ruby Cowen of Storm Lake was arrested and charged with possession of precursors…a class “D” felony. She was booked into jail on a $5,000 bond.
31-year-old Jesse Ingersen of Linn Grove was arrested and charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than five grams of methamphetamine…a class “B” felony; possession of precursors…a class “D” felony; possession of methamphetamine…a serious misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana…a serious misdemeanor. He was booked into jail on a $120,000 bond.
49-year-old Tom Henderson of Storm Lake was arrested and charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than five grams of methamphetamine…a class “B” felony; possession of precursors…a class “D” felony; and possession of marijuana…a serious misdemeanor. He was booked into jail on a $106,000 bond.
29-year-old Heather Hyde of Peterson was arrested and charged with two counts of child endangerment…aggravated misdemeanors; possession of marijuana…a serious misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia…a simple misdemeanor. She was booked into jail on $5,300 bond.
The joint investigation was conducted by the Buena Vista and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices, the Storm Lake Police Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. Assisting in the investigation was the Storm Lake Fire Department, the Storm Lake Public Safety Lab Response Team, the Storm Lake Police Department K9 Unit, the Iowa Department of Human Services and the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests and charges are expected.
