WILLMAR -- Aaron Kyle Manson, 24, of New London, was arraigned Friday on felony charges for storing methamphetamine paraphernalia in the presence of a child or vulnerable adult and fifth-degree drug possession.
Unconditional bail was set at $20,000, with conditional bail at Manson's personal recognizance, provided he not use alcohol or drugs, that he submit to random testing and that he not possess or use firearms.
Manson was also charged with two petty misdemeanors for possessing a small am-ount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
According to the complaint, CEE-VI Drug Task Force officers and other law enforcement officers served a search warrant around 9:30 a.m. Thursday at a rural New London home.
After entering the home, they immediately smelled burned marijuana, animal feces and body odor. The officers found five adults and several children in the home. The group in the home included two small children, ages 3 and 4, who were found sleeping next to a cat litter box full of feces. Two dogs and four cats were found in the home, which was in disarray with piles of dirty clothing and garbage and stacks of dirty dishes.
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Officers contacted county social workers, who came immediately and placed a hold on the two children.
Officers searched the home and found drug paraphernalia, including a "light bulb drug smoking device" with meth residue, a small amount of meth and a small amount of marijuana, plus a marijuana plant hanging to dry and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Another man who lived at the home told officers that he used marijuana daily, but denied using meth. He said he's grown three marijuana plants per year for 10 years in a field near Glenwood. He said if there was meth in the home, it belonged to Manson. When interviewed, Manson told officers he had used meth but claimed he quit six months ago. He also admitted to selling the drug to support his habit, but stopped a year ago. He admitted to using marijuana daily and told officers that the methamphetamine paraphernalia belonged to him and his girlfriend.
Manson's next court appearance is Nov. 13.
