A Bloomfield man with prior convictions allegedly drove barred and was searched by a K-9 unit, according to the Ottumwa Police Department.
34-year-old Jonathan McFarland was charged with driving while barred, possession of a firearm or offensive weapon by a DA offender, possession of a controlled substance – second offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On October 4 at 1:30 p.m., court records say officers recognized McFarland to have an invalid driver’s license and conducted a traffic stop. McFarland attempted to flee but complied with officers after they commanded him by his name to stop.
Authorities conducted a probable cause search with a K-9 unit and located a drawstring bag by McFarland’s feet. Authorities found a loaded handgun, a container with 17.2 grams of methamphetamine, and a plastic bag with 0.4 grams of methamphetamine.
Officers also located two glass smoking pipes, a digital scale, and another container and plastic bag. All items contained methamphetamine residue.
Court records say McFarland’s license is barred and he has an expired registration. He has two previous domestic abuse convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms. He also has a prior drug related conviction for methamphetamine.
McFarland was transported to the Wapello County Jail. He is being held with a $5,000 bond, waived his preliminary hearing, and plead not guilty.
