An Ames man wanted in Carroll County District Court for an alleged controlled substance violation made his initial appearance before a magistrate last week. Court documents indicate the charges against 27-year-old Phelan Treaire Branch stem from a July 19, 2020 traffic stop by the Carroll Police Department. Authorities say the stop was initiated due to Branch operating a 2019 Dodge Charger while his license was revoked. Officers detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and conducted a probable cause search. Law enforcement then located 4.26 oz. of marijuana, 25 methamphetamine pills weighing 10.3 grams, and .5 grams of cocaine. Results from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) laboratory confirmed the substances were narcotics, and a warrant for Branch’s arrest was issued in March. He appeared in Carroll County District Court on Thursday on charges of controlled substance violation, a class B felony, and possession of controlled substances, a serious misdemeanor. Branch was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Oct. 14. Branch faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the charges.
