Iowa woman charged after bringing meth to jail when turning herself in for outstanding warrants

A Polk County sheriff's deputy arrested a Des Moines woman last week for bringing drugs into a jail.

A bag of methamphetamine fell out of the pants Debra Ann Sly, 56, was wearing when she turned herself into the Polk County Jail for outstanding warrants last week, earning her a new charge, according to documents on Iowa Courts Online.

Sly, of the 800 block of 18th Street in Des Moines, reported to the jail last week because a warrant has been issued for her arrest March 27. She'd failed to appear for a disposition bond hearing after violating a no-contact order, court records show.

Sly apparently thought she'd do the right thing and turn herself in, but it ended up going horribly wrong, sheriff's deputies allege.

"During the intake process, a small clear plastic baggy containing a white crystalline substance fell out of her pants onto the booking room floor," according to a criminal complaint filed by a Polk County sheriff's deputy. "The approximate weight of the substance was .4 grams, and the substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine."

Sly was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor, for the mishap. Her attorney, Jason Calstrom, declined to comment when reached by the Register.

Her violation of a no-contact order stemmed from an assault at the apartment building she lived in. Sly pleaded guilty to third-degree harassment and disorderly conduct in August 2018 after being charged with two counts of assault while displaying a deadly weapon, court records show.

After requesting maintenance personnel come work on her apartment, court records show Sly became angry with one of the workers who showed up, grabbing a knife and telling the woman, "You aren't entering my property." The employees left and called police, and Sly was arrested.

Since then, she has twice been found guilty of defying that no-contact order. The second offense came in February, when Sly told the woman that she would "stomp her face," according to court documents.

A disposition hearing for that second violation was scheduled for March 27. When Sly didn't show, a warrant was issued for her arrest. She was caught with the meth while turning herself in for that charge. Sly will learn her punishment for disobeying the order Wednesday, court records show.

Sly will be arraigned on the drug charge May 21.

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