Lang
5/14/24
North Liberty Police say a Coralville man offered to pay off another motorist following a car crash to keep authorities from becoming involved, then tried to bury evidence of his drug use.
The accident took place just before 4:45 last Friday afternoon at Forevergreen Road and Jones Boulevard. According to arrest records, 45-year-old Richard Casey of the Western Hill Estates manufactured housing community offered money to another driver if they didn’t call the police after the two were involved in a two-vehicle accident. Casey allegedly told the other driver if the police became involved, he would go to jail. The other party also claimed Casey was rummaging around inside and in front of his 2006 Ford F150 before officers could arrive.
Arriving police say a K9 alerted on Casey’s truck, leading to a probable cause search. Broken glass consistent with a meth pipe was reportedly found in front of the vehicle, as was an area of recently-disturbed dirt. A further search of the dirt allegedly turned up the stem of the pipe as well as an eight-ounce baggie of what was believed to be meth.
Casey is charged with a Controlled Substance Violation and Driving While Barred. If convicted on both counts, he faces a maximum of 27 years in prison.