News

Task force arrests two on drug-related charges, one for over-purchase of pseudoephedrine

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2008 3:47 PM CST

For the Daily Gate City

WEST POINT - The Lee County Narcotics Task Force reported the arrests Wednesday of three Lee County residents involved in two separate incidents.

Rebecca J. Walljasper, 47, and her son, Zach J. Walljasper, 17, both of West Point, were arrested after task force investigators executed a search warrant at their residence.

Rebecca Walljasper is charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than five grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver to a minor, as Class B felony, and maintaining a drug house, an aggravated misdemeanor. If convicted, Walljasper faces up to 101 years in prison.

Lee County Narcotics Commander Dave Hinton said the charge of intent to deliver to a minor can enhance the length of a prison sentence. A prison sentence for a Class B felony sentence can be up to 25 years and an aggravated misdemeanor sentence can be up to two years.

Zach Walljasper is charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than five grams of methamphetamine, a Class B felony. If convicted, he can face up to 25 years in a state correctional facility.

The arrest stems from an investigation by the task force into allegations the Walljaspers were involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine in the Denmark area.

Wednesday investigators executed a search warrant at the Walljaspers' residence at 1155 255th Avenue and found items that indicated the manufacture and/or use of methamphetamine in the residence and on the property.

Investigators contacted the Department of Human Services after two juveniles were found living at the residence.

Rebecca Walljasper was held at the Lee County Jail pending an initial court appearance.

Zach Walljasper was taken to the Lee County Juvenile Detention Center in Montrose.

In a separate action, Rickie R. Straughsbaugh, 30, of 217 N. 10th St., Keokuk, was arrested on a warrant for purchase of more than 7,500 milligrams of pseudoephedrine in a 30-day period, a serious misdemeanor. Conviction could result in a one-year sentence in a state correctional facility.

The arrest stems from an investigation by the task force into pseudoephedrine in Lee County. A check of local pharmacy logs showed Straughsbaugh to be in violation of the law, according to the task force.

She was taken to the Lee County Jail pending a court appearance.

Other assisting agencies included the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Iowa State Penitentiary K-9 Unit, Keokuk Police Department, and Lee County Attorney's Office.

The Walljaspers and Straughsbaugh are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Justice and the funds administered by the Iowa Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy.