Former school employee faces drug charges following bust

A former employee at Mt. Pleasant High School has been arrested and charged with a Class B felony and serious misdemeanor following the execution of a search warrant on March 5.

Lonnie Jones, 43, of 808 E. Washington St., was arrested and charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine (Class B felony) and possession of marijuana (serious misdemeanor) following a search of his residence.

Intelligence information received in this case, according to the Henry County Sheriff?s Office, revealed that Jones was using and selling methamphetamine to non-students from the parking lot of the high school.

Methamphetamine and drug pipes were seized from Jones? personal belongings at the high school. Further charges and enhancements are pending.

Attempts were made to contact Mt. Pleasant Superintendent Dr. Mike Wells for comment, but Wells was unable to return telephone calls.

Three other search warrants were conducted March 5.

James Corder, 35, Mt. Pleasant, was arrested and charged with a Class C felony, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and a serious misdemeanor, possession of methamphetamine. Corder was charged following a search of his residence at 606 S. Pine St., Mt. Pleasant.

A search warrant was conducted March 5 at 1146 225th St., Rome, resulting in the arrest of Matthew McDowell, 35, who lives at the address. McDowell was charged with possession of firearms by an authorized person, a Class D felony.

The final search warrant on March 5 was executed at 103 S. 2nd St., Rome, the residence of Brandon Garrels, 38. Garrels was arrested and charged with Class D felony possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Henry County Sheriff?s Office was assisted in the searches and investigations by the Henry County Reserve Deputy Unit, the Jefferson County/Fairfield Police Department Tactical Team, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, New London Police Department, Iowa Department of Corrections High-Risk Parole officers, Iowa State Patrol, State of Iowa Division of Narcotics officers and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.