Two-month probe results in two more arrests
Staff writer
After working on a drug investigation for two months, Marion police made two arrests Monday.
A 64-year-old Marion woman and a 38-year-old man recently of Newton were arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana.
Brenda S. Phillips, 64, and Cody R. Harrison, 38, were booked into jail between 2:14 and 2:54 p.m. Both are listed on the county jail roster as having been arrested by Marion police officer Aaron Slater.
The jail roster lists Harrison as living in Newton, but Marion police chief Jeffrey Clinton said he had been living at Phillips’ house at 502 N. Cedar St. for several weeks.
County appraisal records list Phillips as the owner of the house.
Clinton said he, assistant chief Steve Janzen, and officer Slater found less than an ounce of methamphetamine when they searched the house. Also found were pipes, syringes, and a marijuana grinder.
According to federal drug enforcement agencies, an ounce of meth is enough for 100 “hits,” each with a street value of $5.
A third person lives at the house but was not home when police arrived with a warrant.
Jeffrey said he expected the other resident to be arrested.
“This is the second time we’ve done a search warrant on that house,” Clinton said.
The earlier search was May 20. Evidence of methamphetamine was found that time as well, but Phillips was not arrested.
“I know she had some medical issues at that time,” he said.
At press time, no bond had been set for Phillips or Harrison.
In separate cases, Phillips formally was charged June 2 with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and with possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana.
She formally was charged Dec. 10, 2019, with possession of methamphetamine. In a plea deal, she pleaded no contest to possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced to a year’s probation. She was ordered to obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation. After she was again charged June 2, a motion to revoke probation in that case was filed.
All three cases were resolved with a Nov. 21 plea of no contest to a single count of possession of methamphetamine. All other charges were dismissed, and she was sentenced Feb. 28 to a year’s probation.
Although no court records could be found for Harrison, Newton police arrested him July 29 on suspicion of criminal threat and possession of methamphetamine.