Two men from Grinnell were arrested Friday morning on U.S. Interstate 80 after they were allegedly found in possession of a variety of narcotics.
Ryan Bennet Peak, 34, of 609 First Ave., of Grinnell, was charged with controlled substance violation, third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance-psilocybin mushrooms, third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance-LSD, third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, failure to affix drug stamp and keeping premises or vehicle for controlled substance violation.
Colby Dean Joseph Earnhart, 35, of 1308 Sixth Ave., Grinnell, was charged with third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance-marijuana.
The incident began about 8:30 a.m. Friday near the 104 mile marker of westbound U.S. Interstate 80, where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper initiated a traffic stop on a 2020 Hyundai Elantra for speeding.
According to court records, the trooper “could smell the overwhelming odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s passenger compartment,” which prompted a probable-cause search of the vehicle.
The search disclosed a backpack that held mail addressed to Peak. Also allegedly found in the backpack were “23 grams of methamphetamine in a clear plastic baggy, a digital scale containing methamphetamine residue, a spoon with burnt methamphetamine residue, three capsules containing crushed psilocybin mushrooms, a piece of foil containing three dosage units of LSD, several hypodermic needles in and out of packaging, two rubber containers of THC resin residue and a used methamphetamine pipe,” according to court records.
Two “THC vape cartridges” were found “in the center console of the vehicle.”
While Peak was seated in the ISP patrol vehicle, he allegedly “threw a blue metal tube out onto the shoulder when officers weren’t looking,” according to court records. The tube allegedly held “a glass pipe and approximately 5 grams of raw marijuana.”
Peak allegedly “admitted the methamphetamine belonged to him,” according to court records.
Earnhart was in the passenger seat of the Elantra. A search under the seat allegedly disclosed “a black jar, containing approximately 10 grams of raw marijuana and two THC vape cartridges.”
Peak is held in the Dallas County Jail in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Peak was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2004 in Jasper County District Court. He was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2004 in Poweshiek County District Court. He was convicted of third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance, gathering for use of marijuana and controlled substance violation in 2005 in Poweshiek County District Court. He was convicted of third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance in 2008 in Cerro Gordo County District Court. He was convicted of third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance in 2017 in Marshall County District Court.
Earnhart is held in the Dallas County Jail in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Earnhart was convicted of first-offense possession of a controlled substance in 2008 in Poweshiek County District Court. He was convicted of second-offense possession of a controlled substance in 2014 in Poweshiek County District Court. He was convicted of failure to affix drug stamp in 2014 in Jasper County District Court. He was convicted of third or subsequent offense possession of a controlled substance in 2015 in Poweshiek County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is innocent until and unless proven guilty.
