Emmons woman pleads not guilty to drug felonies

Published 1:30 pm Saturday, July 30, 2016

An Emmons woman pleaded not guilty to multiple drug felonies Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Jocelyn Leslie Pater, 19, pleaded not guilty to first- and fifth-degree meth possession, fifth-degree oxycodone possession and fifth-degree lorazepam possession.

Pater was charged after Minnesota Department of Corrections agents and a Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a home visit of David Neely June 23 in Alden at a residence he shared with Pater.

Jocelyn Pater

Jocelyn Pater

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Empty beer bottles and a clear glass pipe that later tested positive for methamphetamine were reportedly seen. An agent reportedly found a homemade smoking device under a bathroom sink that contained fluid that later measured as 8.7 ounces of water — approximately 246 grams — and tested positive for meth.

Pill bottles were found to contain lorazepam and oxycodone, three baggies were reportedly found with methamphetamine, and a small torch and a lighter commonly used to smoke meth were found at the residence, court documents state.

As the search went on, Pater and Neely — who were reportedly in a relationship — argued about who should take responsibility for the items, court documents state.

Pater has a contested omnibus hearing scheduled for Sept. 1.

Neely has also been charged with first- and fifth-degree meth possession, fifth-degree lorazepam and fifth-degree oxycodone possession and has an omnibus hearing set for Thursday.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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