Storm Lake man charged after drugs, kratom found near children

Deputies say Heath Wright’s children were exposed to controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and kratom during a May 11 investigation at a home on 570th Street near Storm Lake, a case that now carries child endangerment charges in Buena Vista County.

Wright, 37, of Storm Lake, was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, first offense. According to court information, authorities allege Wright admitted he was under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and kratom while the children were present. He was jailed after the investigation, then posted bond on May 12. Lisa Mazurek was appointed to represent him, and Wright later waived his preliminary hearing, moving the case ahead without that first court stage.

Under Iowa law, child endangerment covers knowingly acting in a way that creates a substantial risk to a child’s physical, mental or emotional health or safety. When the offense does not result in serious injury, it is generally charged as an aggravated misdemeanor, making the allegations in Wright’s case especially significant for what they suggest about conditions in the home and the legal exposure when children are placed around drugs.

The substance that helped define the case, kratom, sits in a complicated legal space. The DEA says kratom is not controlled under the federal Controlled Substances Act, but it is listed as a drug and chemical of concern. A 2026 Iowa legislative fiscal note also shows lawmakers have considered adding kratom to Iowa’s Schedule I controlled substances, a step that would bring stiffer penalties if approved.

The child-safety concerns also landed during a month when the Buena Vista Family Treatment Court placed blue pinwheels around the Buena Vista County courthouse for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. The blue pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention, a reminder that the courthouse’s family and criminal cases often overlap when substance use and child welfare collide.

The same county roundup also showed how busy the courts remain on driving offenses. Juan Garcia, 27, of Storm Lake, was sentenced to 10 days in jail after a March 13 stop on Geisinger Road and pleaded guilty to driving while revoked. Ashleigh Shinn, 38, of Maryville, Missouri, received 60 days in jail after an April 6 stop in Storm Lake for driving while barred, and Manuel Barron, 25, of Storm Lake, was charged after a May 9 stop on Hyland Drive for illegal window tint and barred or revoked driving status.