ELGIN — A convicted felon allegedly found passed out in a vehicle at a Northern Iowa park was hauled to jail after deputies say they discovered methamphetamine and a stolen firearm, then investigators raided a remote residence just hours later and brought another felony gun charge.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2026, of a man passed out inside a vehicle near the pond at Gilbertson Park.
Deputies responded and made contact with the driver, identified as Justin M. Schomacker, 34, of Elgin.
Authorities say an investigation turned up methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a firearm in Schomacker’s possession.
A records check showed Schomacker was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies also determined the firearm had previously been reported stolen.
Schomacker (pictured at top) was arrested and transported to the Fayette County Jail, where authorities charged him with:
- Possession of a firearm as a felon, a Class D felony
- Trafficking in stolen firearms, a Class D felony
- Possession of methamphetamine, third or subsequent offense, a Class D felony
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor
The investigation did not end with the arrest at Gilbertson Park.
At approximately 1:35 p.m. that same day, Fayette County deputies executed a search warrant at a residence on Washington Street in Elgin in connection with the earlier incident.
Authorities said investigators located additional illegal items during the search.
Schomacker was then additionally charged with control of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon, another Class D felony.
The case adds to a series of recent methamphetamine investigations handled by Fayette County law enforcement. In June, NIT reported that Fayette County deputies arrested a man after allegedly finding him asleep inside a vehicle and in possession of methamphetamine.
Then in July, a Fayette County traffic stop led to another arrest after deputies allegedly discovered a distribution amount of methamphetamine.
Schomacker remained at the Fayette County Jail awaiting an initial appearance before a magistrate, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said the case remains under investigation and additional charges are pending.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Fayette County Conservation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
All criminal charges are merely accusations. Schomacker is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.