Rock Rapids, Iowa — A man with addresses in both Sioux Falls and Elbow Lake, Minnesota is in the Lyon County Jail in Rock Rapids on several drug charges (at least one of them a felony) after a traffic stop south of Rock Rapids Friday night, September 16th, 2022.

According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa State Patrol with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s office, 36-year-old Jeremy Whelplay was in a vehicle that was stopped six miles south of Rock Rapids on Highway 75, about 11:30 p.m. Friday night. The trooper says Whelplay was a passenger in the vehicle, which had been stopped due to traffic violations.

The trooper says Whelplay had a warrant for his arrest as did the driver. He also says he saw knives in the vehicle. He tells us Whelplay allegedly had a grinder with a substance believed to be marijuana in his pocket along with a pipe. In his black bag a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine was found along with a meth pipe, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. The trooper says he also found numerous pills in unlabeled pill bottles.

According to the trooper’s statement, Whelplay has an extensive history of possession of a controlled substance including more than two offenses. Some were for more than a small amount. Some were for marijuana and others were for controlled substances other than marijuana.

Whelplay faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs, and a drug tax stamp violation. Court records indicate Whelplay faces a preliminary hearing on Friday, October 7th at the Lyon County Courthouse.

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