Two men were arrested early Monday morning following a traffic stop in rural Des Moines County.
According to the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation at the intersection of Beaverdale Road and Washington Road at approximately 12:37 a.m. on July 13. During the stop, a sheriff’s K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics.
A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia on the passenger side. Authorities say the passenger, 51-year-old Erin Shawn Smith of Burlington, claimed ownership of the marijuana and also turned over a drug pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine residue.
Deputies also reported finding a pill bottle containing methamphetamine on the driver’s side floorboard. The bottle was labeled with the driver’s name. The driver was identified as 64-year-old David Luster Ackers of Cedar Rapids.
Both men were arrested and transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center. Smith is charged with possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ackers is charged with possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense.
As always, a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.