Crystal meth seized in search

A Spencer man who was already on probation for meth-related charges may have a new cycle in the court process.

On Monday, the Clay County Sheriff's Office assisted the Third Judicial District Adult Probation Office with the execution of a probation search at the residence of 64-year-old Harold Dean Dearth, located at 928 Second Avenue Southeast Apartment No. 2 in Spencer. Dearth's probation stems from his arrest in February of 2008, when Dearth was arrested on several meth-related drug charges.

During the search of Dearth's residence deputies seized over a half-ounce of a crystal methamphetamine and several items of drug paraphernalia. This amount of crystal methamphetamine would have a street value of approximately $1,800 to $2,200 when sold.

Dearth was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver -- methamphetamine, a Class B felony, failure to affix the proper drug tax stamp, a Class D felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Dearth is currently being held in the Clay County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

The investigation is ongoing by the Clay County Sheriff's Office and other member agencies of the Iowa Great Lakes Drug Task Force, additional arrests are anticipated.