Prosecutors bump up charges based on history

Jul 1, 2010 — The Hawk Eye

John Mangalonzo

Jul. 1, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- A 32-year-old West Burlington woman will go to trial on serious drug charges after Des Moines County prosecutors enhanced the offenses, citing her past criminal convictions.

Bobbi Jo Crear, through her attorney, filed a written plea of not guilty Monday. She will be tried for possession of marijuana as a subsequent offender Oct. 12.

A pretrial conference on the case is scheduled to take place Oct. 4.

Prosecutors cited Crear's convictions for second-degree theft in Des Moines County in July of 2003 and conspiracy to manufacture more than 5 grams of meth in Lee County in May of 2006 as basis for the enhanced charge.

Agents from the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force arrested Crear in May as a result of an intensive investigation of a suspected drug house last year.

In November, local and state narcotics agents executed a search warrant at the woman's home in the 600 block of Broadway Street in West Burlington in connection with an investigation that centered on Crear. Authorities said three small children were inside when agents entered.

During the search, authorities allegedly found and seized marijuana smoking pipes; a plastic bag of marijuana; a bag of meth; digital scales; a gallon-size Ziploc bag containing "two large chunks of marijuana" weighing nearly 100 grams; rolling papers and three empty pseudoephedrine blister packs.

Crear also will go to trial for sponsoring a gathering where controlled substances are used, drug tax stamp violation and three counts of child endangerment.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1064-46625118