Stolen property warrant leads to variety of drug charges

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A search on a warrant for stolen property has led to the arrest of four subjects subsequently charged with a variety of drug violations.

Red Willow County Sheriff Gene Mahon said this morning that the investigation continues and more arrests are pending following officers' search on Friday, Feb. 7, of the brick schoolhouse that was once the Republican Valley Junior/Senior High School between McCook and Indianola.

Sheriff's Deputy Joe Koetter said officers were investigating reports of stolen property at the former schoolhouse in the first search, recovering a variety of household items and musical instruments.

A second search warrant and a probation violation search warrant led to the search of five apartment/classrooms in the school, the sheriff said, by his deputies, Nebraska State Patrol troopers and an officer of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Mahon said that stolen property was recovered, as well as numerous drugs, including sample prescription drugs, and drug paraphernalia.

Those arrested and jailed included:

* Evan M. Peterson, 20, of Stratton, charged with possession of controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to deliver, more than one ounce and less than one pound, a Class III felony. His bond was set at 10 percent of $50,000. Ryan Wilcox was appointed his attorney. His preliminary hearing is scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m.

* Jesse Sensenig, 20, of Trenton, charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, a Class III felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $50,000/10 percent. His preliminary hearing is Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m.

* Reid Wilcox, 18, of McCook, charged with Class IV felony possession of methamphetamine and an infraction charge of possession of K2 or marijuana. Cody Siegfried was appointed his attorney. His bond was set at $5,000/10 percent. His preliminary hearing will be Thursday, Feb. 27, at 2:30 p.m.

Each was arraigned, and later released on bail.

Sheriff Mahon said that a 16-year-old, a minor, was arrested and released, to his grandmother, on a summons to appear in court.

On Friday, Feb. 14, a fourth suspect, Jay Weston of McCook, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance / methamphetamine, a Class IV felony; and failure to register on the sex offender registry, also a Class IV felony.

Sheriff Mahon said that two additional summonses to appear in court have been issued to Chance Pearson, 22, and Anissa Morosic, 20.

The schoolhouse complex is owned by an out-of-state owner and is leased and managed by Pearson, Mahon said.