2 in custody on drug charges

BENTON -- A Morley woman and man are in custody following their arrest on drug-related charges.

Patty Lynn Tanner, 59, of Morley is charged with the Class C felony of possession of a controlled substance and the class A misdemeanor of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Rollen D. Newsom, 38, of Morley was arrested on an outstanding Scott County warrant for the class B felony of distribution/delivery/manufacture/produce or attempt to or possess with intent to distribute/deliver/manufacture/produce a controlled substance and the class D felony of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, about 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, Senior Deputy Matt Scroggins responded to a report of suspicious activity at a residence on Ault Street in Morley. Deputies with the sheriff's office had been to the residence on the night of Oct. 20 and arrested two people. The sheriff's office had received a report that someone was possibly illegally taking items from the residence.

Scroggins made contact with Tanner who said she was moving her belongings from the residence. The deputy asked Tanner if anyone else was at the residence, and she said several times that nobody else was inside. Scroggins asked for and received permission to search the residence.

During the search, a known fugitive, Newsom, was located hiding in a bedroom of the residence. Newsome was arrested. Tanner claimed she did not know Newsom was in the residence.

Tanner consented to a search of her vehicle, and Scroggins located a box in the vehicle that was secured with a combination lock. Tanner said the box belonged to her, gave Deputy Scroggins permission to look inside and provided the combination to open it. Items known to be used as drug paraphernalia, several straws and plastic baggies were located inside the box. Tanner was arrested. Both Tanner and Newsom were transported to the Scott County Jail.

Tanner and Newsom remain in custody in the Scott County Jail. Bond for Tanner was set by the court at $5,000.00 cash or surety. Bond for Newsom on the outstanding warrant was set by the court at $25,000.00 cash or surety.