Four Maries County residents were arrested after authorities conducted two drug-related search warrant.
The Maries County Sheriff's Office said in a Saturday evening news release that it and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group simultaneously executed two search warrants on Maries County Road 604. One was at the residence of Michael W Rice and Terra L. Hill located at 41797 Maries County Road 604, and the other was at the residence of Debbra L. Gieck and Richard L. Daniels located at 41500 Maries County Road 604.
All four were arrested.
During the course of the investigation at 41797 Maries County Road 604, deputies located suspected methamphetamines, other suspected controlled substances, numerous items of drug paraphernalia and loaded firearms. There were three minor children at the residence who were removed by Department of Family Services.
As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested Rice, 34, of Dixon, for two counts of felony possession of controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Rice is a convicted felon for felony possession of a controlled substance, felony traffic offenses and possession of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm. He was also arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. Additionally, Rice was arrested for felony child neglect because the minor child had access to dangerous drug-related items.
Hill, who is also a convicted felon for felony stealing and felony abandonment of a corpse, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation at 41500 Maries County Road 604 uncovered methamphetamines, suspected marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Gieck, 56, of Dixon, was arrested for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies also arrested Daniels, 54, of Dixon, for felony delivery of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Daniels was recently released from prison and is a convicted felon for felony stealing and two counts of felony burglary.
All four suspects were taken to the Maries County Jail pending warrant application. Gieck was processed and released for her charges, and Hill posted a $23,000 preset bond and was released.
The prosecutor charged Rice with two counts of felony possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia with no bond. Hill was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Daniels was charged with delivery of a controlled substance with no bond. Rice and Daniels remain in the Maries County Jail.
This was a lengthy investigation lasting several months with hundreds of man hours, Sheriff Chris Heitman said.