Drugs found in theft search in Valley Springs

VALLEY SPRINGS -- Calaveras County sheriff's officials said Tuesday that they found several grams each of marijuana, methamphetamine and concentrated cannabis while searching a home for stolen motorcycles and motorcycle parts.

Jacob Ryan Butler, 27, of Valley Springs was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, marijuana for sale and a stolen vehicle, said sheriff's Sgt. Chris Hewitt. Butler also was charged with vehicle theft and child endangerment.

About noon Friday, the Sheriff's Department assisted the California Highway Patrol in serving a search warrant at the home in the 8000 block of Westhill Road in Valley Springs. Hewitt said the search warrant was part of a CHP investigation into possible stolen motorcycles and parts.

At the home, investigators found 13.3 grams of meth, 17.2 grams of marijuana and 5.1 grams of concentrated cannabis, Hewitt said.

He said there were several adults at the home, including Butler and Shannon Kay Clougherty, 25, also of Valley Springs. Clougherty's 3-year-old child was at the home.

He said sheriff's officials have forwarded to prosecutors a criminal complaint, seeking a charge against Clougherty on suspicion of child endangerment.