Task force arrest local man, girlfriend on numerous drug charges - Marshalltown Times Republican

Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force raided a local man's home Thursday, arresting him and his girlfriend.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office arrested Patrick Bracy, 25, and charged him with nine drug-related charges. His live-in girlfriend, with whom he has two children, Elise Hoop, 24, faces six charges related to the arrest.

Det. Joel Phillips, with the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, said the investigation of the couple had been ongoing for roughly three months. A combination of confidential informants, concerned citizens and police suspicion helped build the case.

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Bracy

Hoop

The couple's two sons, ages 3 and 5, live with them at their home at 11 E. North St.

Both Bracy and Hoop are charged neglect of a dependent, a Class C felony, possession of marijuana, schedule two, schedule three and schedule four substances, all serious misdemeanors, prohibited acts, an aggravated misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.

Additionally, police charged Bracy with possession of a firearm, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, while being a convicted felon, a Class D felony, possession of a schedule three substance with intent to deliver, a Class C felony, and tax stamp violation, Class D felony.

Bracy has prior theft convictions.

Phillips said police found 38 tablets of hydrocodone, a pain killer, in Bracy's home. Because of the drugs' packaging and given that the paraphernalia police allegedly found in the couple's possession included scales, police had reason to believe Bracy intended to traffic the drugs.

Crisis Care transported the children for a medical workup following the couple's arrest to ensure the children did not suffer any physical harm from being in proximity to the narcotics. Subsequently, the Department of Human Services began its investigation into the incident.

Bracy is being held on $50,000 bond. Hoop posted $10,000 in surety bonds Monday. The couple's preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 29.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force released information on the arrest Tuesday.