Iowa man facing possession of meth charge after claiming he was lost in Hancock County

CARTHAGE, Ill. — An Iowa man claiming he was lost was arrested Thursday morning and charged with possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. 

Hancock County Sheriff Travis Duffy reports at the department received a motorist assist call at 1:45 a.m. Thursday. While on patrol, a deputy observed a vehicle on County Road 700 North near Illinois 336 parked with flashers on. The deputy made contact with the driver, Mitchell T. Haines, 60, of Davenport, Iowa. Haines explained he was lost. He displayed indicators of stimulant use. 

The deputy deployed the department’s canine for a free air sniff of the vehicle. After the canine alerted a search was conducted. The deputy also located a plastic baggie, which tested positive for methamphetamine, and a used syringe with liquid in it. 

Haines was placed under arrest and transported to the Hancock County Jail. After an initial court appearance, Haines was released on his own recognizance.