LINN — A Linn man faces multiple felony charges following a multi-month narcotics investigation in which authorities allege the defendant sold methamphetamine near a park and school.

Jay D. Wilbers, 56, of Linn, was charged March 25 in Osage County Circuit Court with 11 offenses stemming from a March 24 search of his residence in the 400 block of East Jefferson Street.

According to court records, Wilbers is charged with distribution of a controlled substance in a protected location, a class A felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony. Additional charges include four counts of unlawful use of a weapon and four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, as well as one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges were filed following a joint investigation by the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, and the Linn Police Department.

Authorities executed a search warrant at the residence on March 24 and took Wilbers into custody without incident, according to a probable cause statement filed by Det. Sarabia of the Osage County Sheriff’s Office.

The statement alleges Wilbers told investigators he had methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the residence and directed officers to their location. Investigators reported finding multiple glass pipes, 1.56 grams of a crystalline substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, and four firearms inside the home. The weapons included a Sears Model One .22 caliber bolt-action rifle, a Stevens Model 62 .22 caliber rifle with scope, a black in color black powder rifle with no identifying markings, and an orange Olin 12-gauge flare gun with no identifying markings.

According to the statement, Wilbers also admitted to selling methamphetamine from the residence and said he was a daily user.

Court documents allege the residence is located within approximately 800 feet of Maguire Park and about 680 feet of St. George School, placing it within a protected location under Missouri law. Additionally, the Linn Senior Citizens Housing apartments are considered a protected location, as they include governmental-assisted-housing.

The complaint further alleges Wilbers has prior convictions, including a 2011 felony conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm in Osage County.

A criminal summons was issued March 26, and Wilbers is scheduled to make his initial appearance at 10 a.m. April 21 before Judge Sonya Brandt in Osage County Circuit Court.