Alas

Sondra Ragen Alas, 40, of Marshalltown, was arrested on a warrant by local police and taken to jail Saturday on possession of a controlled substance — marijuana-second offense.

While being booked into the jail, authorities discovered a baggy of marijuana and a white schedule II controlled substance wrapped in a $20 bill on her person.

Alas had told police upon arrest she did not have any drugs on her person.

Possession of a controlled substance in a correctional institution is a Class D felony.

The offense is punishable by a maximum prison term not to exceed five years which may be deferred or suspended.

A fine of at least $750 but not more than $7,500 may be imposed.

Possession of a controlled substance marijuana-second offense is a serious misdemeanor which is punishable by a maximum jail term not to exceed one year. A mandatory fine of at least $250 but not more than $1,500 may be imposed.

At her initial appearance Saturday, Alas was ordered held on $5,000 bond and ordered to complete a substance abuse evaluation no later than 60 days after her release.

The magistrate also appointed Alas a public defender.

Her preliminary hearing is March 3.