ESTHERVILLE – A pair of windbags flapping their gums as they tooled through Northern Iowa were turned into the cops for suspicion of domestic violence, only to find themselves silently behind bars, awaiting American justice.
On November 12, 2024, at approximately 4:50 PM, Estherville Police Officers were called to assist the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office regarding a possible domestic assault occurring in a moving vehicle. The vehicle, a black Ford Fusion, registered through Minnesota, was reported to be traveling south toward the Estherville city limits on Highway 4.
Estherville Police located the vehicle north of Estherville and initiated a traffic stop. During the investigation into the incident, Estherville Police K9, Pepper, was requested and responded to the scene. Following an external check of the vehicle, Pepper indicated an alert to officers, indicating the possible presence of illegal drugs in the car. The vehicle was then seized by officers and a search warrant for the vehicle was obtained and executed later that evening.
The investigation by officers also determined that the male and female occupant were merely involved in a verbal disagreement and not a physical confrontation.
The driver was identified as 54-year-old Dannie Christian of Ceylon, Minnesota. He was cited and released for No Driver License. The female passenger was identified as 45-year-old Sara Robertson, of Estherville.
Both parties were released pending the execution of the search warrant on the vehicle.
During the search of the vehicle, Estherville Police Officers found and seized approximately 26.6 grams of Methamphetamine, a THC Vape Pen and several items of drug paraphernalia. Christian was later charged and arrested for the follwing crimes:
– Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, a Class B Felony
– Possession of Marijuana, a Serious Misdemeanor
– Tax Stamp Violation, a Class D Felony
– Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
He remains in the Emmet County Jail awaiting court appearances.
Robertson was later charged and arrested for the lesser crimes of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She bonded out of jail and awaits a December 20, 2024, preliminary hearing.
The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.