Pubdate: Fri, 29 Sep 2006
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Copyright: 2006 Quad-City Times
Contact:  http://www.qctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857
Author: Pam Martz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

AREA MAYOR FACES DRUG CHARGES

WILTON -- The arrest of Wilton Mayor Dick Summy on Thursday was the 
culmination of a year-long investigation, authorities said.

Sean McCullough, supervisor for the Iowa Department of Public 
Safety's Narcotics Enforcement Division, said Summy, 56, was arrested 
Thursday morning at the Iowa League of Cities meeting in Coralville 
on charges of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, marijuana 
and violation of the state's drug tax stamp law.

Summy is being held in the Polk County Jail on $19,500 bond. His 
initial appearance is scheduled for this morning. McCullough said the 
investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

Search warrants were served Monday by the Muscatine County Drug Task 
Force to three area banks and at Summy's home in Wilton. According to 
documents filed at the Muscatine County Courthouse, several items 
were confiscated, including a handheld police radio with charger, a 
computer and cash totaling approximately $24,000.

The warrant also indicates trafficking marijuana in amounts of pounds.

In March 14, at a Des Moines bar, Joeseppe's, Summy allegedly 
accepted $800 in marked currency toward an informant's previous drug 
debt to Summy for a half-pound of marijuana.

The transaction was under surveillance by the Division of Narcotics 
Enforcement. The report also states that Summy made post-Miranda 
confessions to six or more transactions involving the informant.

Documents stated that the informant's residence was searched by 
officers on Aug. 14, 2005. An undisclosed amount of cash and a 
vehicle were seized. The informant also discussed cooperation with 
law enforcement in exchange for consideration of possible criminal charges.

He told officers he purchased hydroponic (grown in liquid nutrients 
instead of soil) marijuana from Summy about 12 times between the fall 
2004 and July 2005.

Summy has held office since 2004. He has lived in Wilton since 1985.

No special City Council meeting has been scheduled yet to discuss 
Summy's status as mayor.

"The council will have to do damage control. We've had some obstacles 
in the past, but nothing like this," City Council member Ted Glenney 
said Thursday afternoon upon hearing the news. "I am surprised. He 
has a good job. This floors me."

Summy works in sales for Gerdau Ameristeel, which has a plant in Wilton.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman