PORT ANGELES — A Sequim man arrested Thursday for investigation of intent to deliver $7,600 worth of methamphetamine has been released on his own recognizance.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brent Basden released Baylee B. Nelson, who turned 21 in October, on Friday and set 1 p.m. Tuesday for the filing of formal charges against him.
Basden said there is probable cause to proceed with the case.
Nelson, who does not have a criminal history, told authorities following his arrest that he had been dealing crystal methamphetamine 1½ to 2 years, according to the probable cause statement by Rick Larsen, a Sequim Police officer and Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team detective.
Nelson said he has five to six steady customers and sells to others in the Sequim area, according to the statement.
OPNET executed a search warrant Thursday for Nelson’s residence in the 300 block of Taylor Ranch Road and two trucks.
Two people were in the residence, according to the probable cause statement.
OPNET detectives saw a large water smoking devices with white residue that were recognized as a common tool and method for ingesting methamphetamine, according to the probable cause statement.
They also saw suspected methamphetamine on a plate in the residence.
Authorities clarified in their probable cause statement where Nelson was arrested and where they found methamphetamine.
Learning that Nelson was at work, OPNET detectives went to his workplace, put him under arrest and executed the search warrant for his truck, where Nelson said methamphetamine was located.
They found 109 grams of the drug was in mason jar in a lockbox, according to the probable cause statement.
OPNET Cmdr. Brian King, Clallam County sheriff’s chief criminal deputy, said the street value of the methamphetamine is $70 a gram.
OPNET detectives said they also removed a .22-caliber rifle from the truck.
Basden said Nelson will need to prove at his hearing Tuesday that he has complied with a condition of his release that he does not possess any weapons, including any at his house.
________
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
