Mt. Pleasant teen arrested after package containing drugs delivered to residence

MT. PLEASANT — A 19-year-old Mt. Pleasant teen faces multiple felony charges after authorities intercepted a package containing drugs and executed a search warrant at his residence last week.

Mt. Pleasant Police issued a press release stating that the investigation began on Aug. 27 when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration notified local investigators about a suspicious 22-pound package shipped through UPS from California.

According to a criminal complaint filed with Iowa Courts, federal officials reported that another package from the same sender had previously been seized in Iowa containing THC products.

On Sept. 2, a K-9 unit with the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement alerted to the shipment. Investigators obtained a warrant to open the box and found multiple THC vaping devices, which are illegal in Iowa. Authorities then conducted a controlled delivery of the package to a residence on North Adams Street in Mt. Pleasant and obtained another search warrant for that residence.

During the search, investigators also found a 12-year-old juvenile inside the home.

“Upon executing the search warrant, a large quantity of THC vape smoking devices, individually packaged marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms packaged, drug paraphernalia, packaging material, firearms and scales were located and seized,” the Mt. Pleasant Police Department said in a statement.

Police arrested Gavin King, 19, and transported him to the Henry County Jail. Once there, according to the criminal complaint, King agreed to an interview in which he admitted to manufacturing psilocybin mushrooms over the past four months. Investigators said he described the process, explained how he packaged them, and admitted he had attempted to distribute the mushrooms.

Mt. Pleasant Police said the case remains under investigation in coordination with the DEA, Iowa State Patrol, and Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force.

“This investigation is considered ongoing at this time with more potential charges to come,” police said.

King is charged with one count of Controlled Substance Violation a Class D felony; one count of Controlled Substance Violation, a Class C felony; and two counts of Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, both Class D felonies.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com