Local, state and federal authorities set out to search 20 locations in the Des Moines area at about 5 a.m. Wednesday. It was part of a drug investigation that reaches into several other states. A spokesman for Des Moines Police says their investigation of a “methamphetamine distribution network” in Des Moines began three months ago. It grew into a joint operation with the state’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement and federal A-T-F agents.

According to a statement from Des Moines Police, the drug ring has been distributing “large quantities” of meth. Federal authorities said of the six men who were arrested, one is from the State of Washington. Four are from Des Moines and the other person under arrest is from Elkhart. All six are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. (Their names, age and city of residence are listed below):

• Shannon Lee Paxton, 46, of Des Moines
• Kerry Drew Haegele, 47, of Des Moines
• Fidel Rios, Jr., 34, of Pasco, Washington
• Kira Fallis, 26, of Elkhart
• John Archer, 52, of Des Moines
• Charles Astley, 63, of Des Moines

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on drug and other charges early this (Thursday) morning, following a traffic stop. A vehicle driven by 54-year old Bruce Warren Fitzwater, of Gravity, was pulled over at around 12:12-a.m. in the 2500 block of Union Avenue. An investigation resulted in Fitzwater being charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as well as Driving while revoked. He was also cited for Fraudulent use of Registration and having no insurance. Fitzwater was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

At around the same time and place, 26-year old Jesse Allen Luft, of Villisca, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernlia. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports 22-year old Ryan Nelson, of Sidney, was arrested Tuesday for Theft 2nd, in connection to the possession of a stolen motor vehicle on June 19th.  Deputies made contact with Nelson, who was in possession of a motor vehicle that had been stolen out of Nebraska City, Nebraska earlier that day. A warrant was issued for Nelson and he was arrested June 27th without incident.  Nelson was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.

And, on Wednesday, Fremont County Deputies arrested 64-year old Doc Holliday, (AKA Patrick Dunbar), of Helenville, WI, (and formally of Sidney), for Operating a vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent.  Deputies received a report that Holliday was seen operating a vehicle by a family member of the owner.  Deputies allege that Holliday took the vehicle from, and later returned the vehicle to the Tabor City Park, without the owner’s consent. Holliday was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $2,000 bond.

“Doc” Holliday

Ryan Nelson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

STUART, Iowa — The National Weather Service in Des Moines confirms a tornado touched down in Adair County, late Wednesday afternoon, near Stuart. The twister, rated an EF-0 with estimate peak winds of 75-mph, began at around 4:12-p.m. southwest of Stuart, and dissipated at around 4:20-p.m. southeast of Stuart. The tornado traveled an estimated 7-miles. It’s width was not immediately known. It was captured on numerous pictures and video by area residents and spotters.

SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) — At least one tornado has touched down in the southwestern corner of Iowa. Fremont County Emergency Management Director Mike Crecelius says the tornado hit a rural area east of Sidney on Wednesday afternoon. Crecelius says no injuries have been reported. Sidney Assistant Fire Chief Dustin Sheldon told Omaha television station KETV that some rural homes near Sidney and Shenandoah were damaged.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a man in the death of an Illinois man whose body was found burning near a Davenport street. The Quad-City Times reports that 42-year-old Tremayne La-Toine Thomas, of Davenport, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of first-degree murder in the May 30 death of 35-year-old Brandon Brooks. Police say Brooks was seen with Thomas the day before his death and that a search of Thomas’ home turned up blood evidence.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — ABC and a South Dakota meat producer have settled in a $1.9 billion lawsuit against the network over its reports on a beef product that critics dubbed “pink slime.” The terms of the settlement announced Wednesday are confidential. Dakota Dunes-based Beef Products Inc. sued the television network in 2012, saying ABC’s coverage misled consumers into believing the product is unsafe, is not beef and isn’t nutritious.