(Spencer)– An investigation into a suspicious person in a backyard in Spencer has resulted in the arrest of a man on drug charges.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says deputies observed the subject shortly before 1:00 p.m. Friday in the backyard of a residence at 829 2nd Avenue Southeast. Deputies made contact with the man, identified as 59-year-old Kenneth Versluis. Versluis was unable to give deputies a valid reason to be walking around the property and didn’t live there. Deputies then located a zip lock baggie in the yard containing what’s alleged to be methamphetamine. Versluis was taken into custody and was taken to the Clay county jail.
Deputies then requested assistance from the Spencer Police Department’s K-9 unit to conduct a sniff of Versluis’ vehicle parked at 811 2nd Avenue Southeast. Following a positive indication by the K-9, deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and seized items of drug paraphernalia and a quantity of cash.
Versluis was charged with possession of a controlled substance 3rd or subsequent offense-methamphetamine-an aggravated misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
Versluis was booked into the Clay county jail on a $6,500 bond.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in its investigation by the Iowa Great Lakes Drug Task Force and the Spencer Police Department.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with any additional information in the case to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office or to utilize its “text-a-tip” program.
