A 47-year-old northwest Iowa man who was carrying drugs and gun when he was arrested has been sentenced to more than 15 years in a federal prison. Todd Christopher Moritz of Estherville was on a motorcycle in June of 2017 when police tried to arrest him. Moritz crashed the motorcycle and ran. … [Read more...]
Man arrested in Storm Lake sent to federal prison on drug charges
A 37-year-old man from Cherokee has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on drug charges. State prison records show Raymond Andrew Kerns had seven felony convictions in Pottawattamie, Ida and Cherokee Counties in the past six years. In September, he pleaded guilty in federal court to … [Read more...]
Charles City nurse charged with taking and tampering with drugs
A Charles City nurse anesthetist has been indicted on drug charges while on the job at Floyd County Medical Center. Court documents say Christopher Scott West gained access to fetanyl and sufentanil and used them for his own use from February 2018 to September 7, 2018. West concealed his actions … [Read more...]
Six nursing home employees accused of stealing pain medications
The U.S. Attorney says the women are all facing charges for allegedly taking prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and hydracodone from their workplaces in central and southeast Iowa. One of the women, 31-year-old Katie Howard of Des Moines, pleaded guilty to two counts after being charged … [Read more...]
Clermont business accused of illegally selling medical marijuana products
Authorities in northeast Iowa raided a business in the town of Clermont on Wednesday. The Fayette County Sheriff's department says T's Brick City Spa was allegedly selling CBD oil and CBD edible candy. Law enforcement says the sale of the products violated Iowa Code which regulates the use of … [Read more...]
Medical marijuana expansion clears Iowa Senate subcommittee
A panel of three state senators has endorsed the idea of giving Iowans access to cannabis products for treatment of any medical condition -- if a doctor, physician's assistant or registered nurse says it would be beneficial. "To me, this is what fixes the problem that we have. Not perfect, but it … [Read more...]
ISU researcher: increase in drug overdose deaths from illegal substances on horizon
An Iowa State University researcher says the successful effort to cut prescription drug abuse could lead to an epidemic with illegal drugs. Professor David Peters says the measures taken to cut back on prescription opioid abuse have led to fewer deaths. "It's been falling pretty steadily and so … [Read more...]
Fairfield police officer charged with stealing drugs from animal clinic
A Fairfield police officer is accused of taking drugs from a local animal clinic. The Veterinary Clinic in Fairfield found a shortage of a narcotic during an inventory in November and contacted the police department. DCI special agent in charge Richard Rahn says the Fairfield police chief asked … [Read more...]
Families seek expanded use of medical marijuana for autism patients
A group of family members and supporters of people with autism plans on filing a proposal with the state’s cannabis board this week calling for access to medical marijuana for severe autism patients of all ages. The state is currently considering allowing medical marijuana treatments for some … [Read more...]
Iowa Guard helps seize $63 million in illegal drugs
The Iowa National Guard helped seize illegal drugs that were worth tens of millions of dollars in 2018. "More than one pound of fentanyl, which equates to more than 180,000 fatal doses, and nearly 15 pounds of heroin, were seized and taken off the street in Iowa and in 2018, more than $63 million … [Read more...]