Deputy, patrolman find more marijuana at Cone?s home

For the second time within a year, a search warrant was conducted at the Richard Cone residence, 16855 Heather Ave., rural Keosauqua.

In October 2010, during the first search warrant search, the Van Buren County Sheriff?s Office found approximately 830 pounds of marijuana at the Cone residence. Those charges were dismissed last month when federal charges were filed.

When a Van Buren sheriff?s deputy and an Iowa State Patrol officer arrived at Cone?s residence Oct. 12 to take him into federal custody, Cone came out of the garage.

According to an affidavit filed in Van Buren County Court, one of the officers said he ?immediately smelled the odor of fresh/raw marijuana.? The officer saw loose green leafy material on Cone?s shirt and shoes, and he noticed Cone?s fingers were stained greenish brown.

The officer asked to smell Cone?s fingers and reported they smelled like raw marijuana. He reported Cone became ?very nervous and his breathing increased? and the carotid pulse was ?very noticeable? in his neck.

Cone refused the officer?s request to search the garage, and began to sweat profusely.

The officers placed handcuffs on Cone and received a search warrant.

Officers seized 27 items, including 32 starts, seeds, baggies, scales, stems, mail and receipts. Two items also were taken for DNA.

Charges are pending.

Cone was transported to U.S. District Court in Davenport.