WILLMAR -- Aaron Kyle Manson, 24, of New London, was sentenced Wednesday to a year of probation, a $500 fine and 30 days in jail, which was stayed, on fifth-degree controlled substance crime for methamphetamine and marijuana found in his home during a search by the CEE-VI Drug Task Force. The drug officers also found small children living in squalor in the home.
In Kandiyohi County District Court, Judge Kathryn N. Smith ordered a one-year stay of adjudication on Manson's sentence. If he complies with the court's conditions, no conviction will appear on his record. Smith also ordered Manson to attend Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous weekly and verify his attendance with his probation officer and to follow the aftercare recommendations of his treatment program.
As part of a plea agreement, another felony for storing methamphetamine paraphernalia in the presence of a child or vulnerable adult and two petty misdemeanors for possessing a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were dismissed.
Before he was sentenced, Manson told the court he was glad the incident happened, and that "I've changed my life for the better." His attorney, public defender John Holbrook, praised Manson's behavior and attitude, and said that he is "extremely optimistic" for his client.
The charges were filed after drug task force officers and other law enforcement officers served a search warrant around 9:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at a rural New London home.
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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.
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.
