Washington man faces multiple drug charges after task force raid

WASHINGTON — A Washington man faces several felony and misdemeanor drug charges after a task force search Wednesday morning uncovered nearly 190 grams of marijuana and other controlled substances at his home, according to court records.

Authorities state that 34-year-old Deon Johnson was arrested Wednesday morning, Oct. 22 after members of a Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his residence at approximately 9:38 a.m.

According to documents filed with Iowa Courts, despite Johnson’s attempt at flushing marijuana down the toilet upon execution of the search warrant, officers found 189.79 grams of marijuana, 18 THC vape cartridges, and 19 pills of the prescription drug Mirapex without a labeled bottle.

Johnson is charged with two counts of controlled substance violation (Class D felony), one count of failure to affix a drug tax stamp (Class D felony), one count of aggravated misdemeanor obstructing prosecution or defense, and one count of simple misdemeanor unlawful possession of a prescription drug.

Under Iowa law, the failure to purchase and affix a required state excise tax stamp to certain illegal drugs is itself a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Johnson is being held at the Washington County Jail on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. in Washington County District Court.

Local law enforcement officials indicate the raid resulted from ongoing investigations by the Drug Task Force into suspected distribution activities in the area.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com