A Newton man has pleaded guilty to felony drug charges after Newton Police reported finding methamphetamine and marijuana in his possession twice last year. 

According to Newton Police, Spencer Lee Johnston was arrested during a traffic stop on February 5th, 2024 for a non-working plate light and failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. A K-9 police dog detected an odor of illegal drugs, and a search of Johnston’s SUV allegedly turned up 18.6 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, two scales, and packaging material. 

Johnston’s second arrest was on November 8th, after a search warrant was executed at his home on East 14th Street North. The warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into the sale of methamphetamine. Officers said they found meth, marijuana, and THC wax, gummies, and vape cartridges in a bedroom. 

District Court Judge Terry Rickers accepted Johnston’s guilty plea this week to two counts of Conspiracy with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver between 5 and 5,000 grams of methamphetamine, a Class B felony. Judge Rickers set a sentencing hearing for March 31st, and ordered Johnston to be held without bond.