A Mt. Pleasant man who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a hold in the Washington County Jail will now be deported. 

According to court records, in June of last year, a Washington County sheriff’s deputy stopped a car on Highway 218 where 24-year-old Noel Lopez was riding in the passenger seat of the car. The deputy reported finding “loose, green, plant material” that a state forensic lab later confirmed to be marijuana, as well as a vape cartridge containing an amber substance. 

Lopez was arrested in July of this year, and was charged with a first offense of drug possession and hemp inhalation, both serious misdemeanors. While Lopez was in the Washington County Jail, ICE issued a detainer request, directing local authorities to hold Lopez for up to 48 additional hours after he would be released from the county’s custody. 

According to court documents, on August 13, the charge against Lopez was dismissed, with a plea agreement. On August 16, Lopez was released from Washington County custody and transferred to the Linn County Jail. Lopez has no other criminal record or charges in Iowa. He remains in custody of ICE. 

Lopez is to be deported to Mexico within the next two weeks. A graduate of Mt Pleasant High School, Lopez had lived in the country for over 20 years.