Repeat drug offender arrested

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Sheriff’s Department charged Andrew Joseph Stout, 36 of West Burlington, with trespassing and possession of a controlled substance, last week.

The Sheriff’s Office received reports of suspicious activity in the 2400 grid of 240th Street.

According to the criminal complaint filed with Iowa Courts, a witness saw a black SUV pull up to a farm building and a passenger exit the vehicle.

They allege they then approached the vehicle and a person fled on foot while the driver sped off in the SUV prior to deputies arriving on the scene.

According to Deputy Richard Stallman’s account, an investigation determined the two suspicious individuals intended to steal anhydrous ammonia.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Anhydrous ammonia, a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating fumes, is used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer and industrial refrigerant.”

According to the CDC, “Anhydrous ammonia is also a key ingredient for illicit methamphetamine (meth) production in makeshift laboratories.”

“An apparent unused 20lb propane cylinder with an altered top and apparent unused tubing were located near two anhydrous ammonia tanks,” Stallman states in his affidavit.

While searching the area, deputies located Stout lying face down in a field approximately 100 yards from the anhydrous ammonia thanks.

“Andrew stated he was in the area looking for white and red tanks on farms to steal gas from,” Stallman’s account alleges. “Andrew stated he did not try to steal anhydrous.”

Henry County Sheriff Deputies arrested stout for trespassing and an active warrant.

Once detained at the jail, a search of Stout’s person revealed a small baggie containing a white powdery substance.

Court documents state that Stout admitted the substance was Methamphetamine, and field-testing confirmed this statement.

At the time of this arrest on Dec. 21, Stout’s record already included two previous drug related convictions.

Stout received the first drug related conviction in September 2010 in Des Moines County for a pharmacy purchase of pseudoephedrine.

The other conviction came from Lee County in May 2014 for a controlled substance violation.

Additionally, Stout entered a plea of not guilty for other drug charges in November 2022 in Des Moines County. These charges are still part of an active court case.

From the events and investigations in Henry County this past week, Stout is currently charged with possession of a controlled substance — third or subsequent offense, a Class D felony, and trespass, a simple misdemeanor.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com