Rock Rapids, Iowa — Two people face felony drug charges in two separate cases in Lyon County after recent incidents.
In the first one, a Rock Rapids man is the one facing charges.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Sunday, September 6th, 2020, their deputies arrested 42-year-old Nathan Helwig of Rock Rapids.
They tell us the arrest stems from a traffic stop near North Fourth Street and North Story Street in Rock Rapids, which is near the Rock Rapids swimming pool. A deputy reports they observed Helwig driving in Island Park and knew he did not have a valid license. During the stop, K9 “Rizzo” indicated to the odor of drugs coming from Helwig’s vehicle.
Deputies say a subsequent search of the vehicle turned up THC wax, a marijuana derivative. Deputies were also able to determine that Helwig had thrown items from the vehicle while he was being stopped. They believe this was more THC wax and methamphetamine.
Helwig was arrested and transported to the Lyon County Jail. He was charged with third offense possession of methamphetamine, which is a class D felony, plus misdemeanor charges of third offense possession of marijuana, failure to have an ignition interlock device and failure to have a valid license.
In the second case, a felony charge has been added to charges that a Luverne, Minnesota man already faced in Lyon County in connection with a September 1st arrest in Rock Rapids.
Sheriff’s deputies tell us that they responded that day to a suspicious vehicle report at Westside Park in Rock Rapids. The sheriff’s office identified the two occupants of the vehicle as 25-year-old Cody Balster of Luverne, MN and 26-year-old Melissa Radley, also of Luverne.
They say Balster and Radley were found to be in possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. Balster and Radley were charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Balster was additionally charged with fraudulent practices. Balster and Radley were transported to the Lyon County Jail.
But, deputies report that the on-going investigation has lead to Balster being charged on Saturday with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and a drug tax stamp violation. Possession with intent and drug tax stamp violations are felony-level offenses.
Lyon County deputies tell us their K9 Rizzo assisted in this investigation as well.
Balster’s initial hearing is scheduled for next Monday, September 14th.
