By Roger Lanse

John Case, 64, of Silver City, and his wife Cheryle Case, 56, also of Silver City, were arrested Friday, March 13, by Silver City Police Department officers at their residence on 28 Coleman Drive.

According to police documents, after executing a search warrant, officers recovered three plastic baggies and a purple container all containing a crystal-like substance that appeared to be methamphetamine in a quantity greater than for personal use, packaging material, five digital scales, eight glass pipes, a clear plastic container with a green leafy substance which appeared to be marijuana, blotter papers, $226 in currency, two cell phones, a Jennings Firearms J-22 .22-caliber handgun, and a Charter Arms Bulldog Pup .44 Special revolver. Also recovered from outside the home were a surveillance monitor and two cameras.

Later lab tests showed the two substances were, in fact, methamphetamine and marijuana, documents stated.

John Case was charged in a criminal complaint with trafficking a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a first degree felony; possession of a firearm by a felon, a fourth degree felony; possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor; and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), a petty misdemeanor. John Case had been convicted of a felony for trafficking methamphetamine in 2004, according to the complaint. Cheryle Case was charged similarly, excepting the felonious possession of a firearm charge.

The pair was transported to Gila Regional Medical Center for medical clearance, then booked into the Grant County Detention Center under cash or surety bonds, $56,500 for John
Case and $21,500 for Cheryle Case.