A Bayard man was recently sentenced for felony drug offenses in Guthrie County.

According to County Attorney Brenna Bird, 52-year-old Douglas J Esslinger pled guilty and was sentenced for the crimes of manufacture, deliver, and/or possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a class C felony; gathering where meth is used, a class D felony; and two counts of child endangerment, aggravated misdemeanors. Judge Thomas P. Murphy gave Esslinger a suspended 10 year prison sentence and placed him on three years probation. Esslinger is ordered to pay over $4,000 in fines, fees, and surcharges.

This sentence stems from a July 14th incident in which Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputies, Iowa State Patrol Troopers, and Panora Police Officers executed a search warrant at Esslinger’s residence. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation also assisted with the case.