OSAGE COUNTY — Court documents filed last week provide additional details about the July 14 arrests of two Linn residents following a narcotics investigation by the Osage County Sheriff’s Office and Mid Missouri Drug Task Force.

The Osage County Prosecuting Attorney has charged Michele D. Ruengert with first-degree drug trafficking, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child involving drugs, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia as a prior drug offender. Jason M. Cherry is charged with possession of a controlled substance.

According to probable cause statements, investigators stopped a vehicle driven by Ruengert as officers prepared to execute a search warrant at her residence. A K-9 alerted on the vehicle, and investigators allege they found a cut straw containing methamphetamine in a cigarette pack belonging to Cherry.

Investigators then executed the search warrant at Ruengert’s residence, where they allege they recovered about 28 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, syringes, packaging materials, glass pipes and $547 in cash.

Court documents allege that Ruengert later told investigators she rented two storage units in Loose Creek and that one contained additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. After obtaining a second search warrant, investigators said they recovered another four grams of methamphetamine, a syringe and additional drug paraphernalia, bringing the total amount of methamphetamine seized to about 32 grams.

The affidavit further alleges Ruengert admitted she had resumed using methamphetamine about a year earlier and had been selling the drug throughout Osage County. After a detective reminded her she had previously said she would not use or sell methamphetamine from her residence because her juvenile son lived there, the probable cause statement notes that Ruengert said she had “relapsed.”

When asked why she was selling methamphetamine, she replied, “Because I am an idiot,” according to the PC statement, which also alleges she admitted selling methamphetamine from the residence while her son was present.

Ruengert pleaded not guilty at her July 17 arraignment. She remains jailed without bond pending a July 28 bond review hearing.

Cherry appeared in court July 17. His bond reduction was denied at his initial appearance, and a bond review hearing is also scheduled for July 28.