LITTLE ROCK, Iowa - The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at 3:20 p.m. Saturday in the 4300 block of Iowa 9, three miles west of Little Rock. During the stop, it was learned the driver, Stephen Martin-Hall, 35, of St Paul, did not have a valid license. Upon further investigation Martin-Hall was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was cited for excessive speed, driving without a valid license and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Martin-Hall was transported to the Lyon County Jail for those charges.
At about 5 p.m., another Lyon County Deputy witnessed Traci Cranston, 32, of St. Paul, driving the same vehicle from the previous traffic stop at Iowa 9 and Madison Avenue. The deputy was aware she did not have a valid license. During the traffic stop, the deputy learned information that led to the application of a search warrant for the camper Cranston and Martin-Hall were sharing as their residence in the Little Rock campground.
While executing the search warrant, deputies discovered the camper Cranston and Martin-Hall were staying in was stolen from Minnesota. They also discovered two snowmobiles stolen from Minnesota present at the campground. The deputies also located multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia and a small amount of a controlled substance. During this investigation, two minor children were taken into custody by the Iowa Department of Human Services.
As a result of the search warrant, Martin-Hall was charged with three additional counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one additional count of possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of stolen property and second-degree possession of stolen property.
Cranston was charged with three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of stolen property and second-degree possession of stolen property.
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The investigation continues, and more charges are possible.
