A traffic stop last Friday led to several drug-related arrest by the Mitchell Police Department.
From The Mitchell Police Department:
On Friday at approximately 9:15 am a Mitchell Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in the Freedom Value Center parking lot. The vehicle was being driven by 42-year-old male Mark Leach, who was identified as being an employee of the Freedom Value Center. Leach is on active Probation in South Dakota for a prior drug related conviction. During the traffic stop a search of Leach’s vehicle was conducted which led to Officers locating methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Upon completion of the traffic stop a search of Leach’s residence was conducted in the 700 block of South Rowley Street. Officers made contact with Leach’s roommate at the residence, who was identified as 46-year-old female Tina Hauge. During the search of the residence Officers located evidence of methamphetamine distribution. Officers also located controlled substance prescription medications which were not prescribed to Leach or Hauge. Leach and Hauge’s residence was located within a Drug Free Zone resulting in a Drug Free Zone Violation.
A consent search of the Freedom Value Center was conducted by law enforcement after the completion of the residential search. A Freedom Value Center employee was present for the search and was identified as 57 year old Shelly Klapkin. During the search of the Freedom Value Center Officers located methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia. While searching the Freedom Value Center, Officers located methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia that was able to be identified as belonging to Klapkin.
The Mitchell Police Department says Freedom Value Center upper management was very cooperative with the investigation. It appears at this time that upper management and ownership did not have knowledge or involvement in the illegal drug activity occurring at the Mitchell Freedom Value Center.
Mark Leach was arrested and charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine, Two Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Drug Free Zone Violation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Tina Hauge was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Shelly Klapkin was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol and Mitchell Court Services assisted the Mitchell Police Department was assisted in the investigation.