Police: Iowa City Man Arrested for Meth Production, Possession of Precursors

An Iowa City man was arrested last week after a February search of his residence allegedly revealed a meth-making operation.

According to Johnson County sheriff's criminal complaints, a drug search warrant was executed at the Iowa City home of Gus Daniel Olinger, 42, on Mosswood Lane on Feb. 5, 2013. The search allegedly revealed multiple lithium batteries and pseudoephedrine packages, both potential precursors for methamphetamine.

Some of the lithium was allegedly found in fragments and the pseudoephedrine ground into a powder and was discovered with another substance that was later determined by drug testing in July to be over five grams of methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

Olinger's residence also allegedly had other drug paraphernalia, prescription pills, multiple pipes with residue, syringes, and digital scales.

Olinger has been charged with possession of lithium meth precursor, a Class D felony; possession of pseudoephedrine meth precursor, a Class D felony; possession of a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor; permitting the possession of drugs in a home, a serious misdemeanor; and the possession with intent to manufacture of more than five grams of methamphetamine, a class B felony.

Olinger is also facing three unrelated charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, domestic abuse assault without intent causing injury, and obstruction of emergency communications.

He made bail and was charged and released this morning from the Muscatine County Jail according to online jail records.