Authorities say they caught a 41-year-old Cody man trying to pick up a meth-loaded package last week, then found more of the drug in his home.

Chance C. Nelson is facing a felony charge of possessing a controlled substance in connection with Wednesday’s incident. At the recommendation of prosecutors, a judge set Nelson’s bail at $15,000 cash. He remained in custody on Monday.

“Although it’s not charged, there were children in the house,” Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Eichele said at a Friday court hearing, “and the way this transpired, we believe it is a public safety risk.”

Charging documents say that on Jan. 27, someone in California shipped a package to Nelson’s Kent Avenue home that the U.S. Postal Service flagged as being suspicious. Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Shane Reece began probing the shipment, writing in an affidavit that the listed sender was “fictitious.” Further, Reece said a check of postal records showed “multiple” suspicious packages had been shipped to Nelson’s residence in the past.

“Agents knew Nelson to be previously involved with methamphetamine at various levels,” Reece added, with DCI receiving information that Nelson had obtained meth through the mail in the past.

Reece obtained a federal search warrant on Feb. 10, which allowed DCI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service personnel to open the package. Inside, they reportedly found 28 grams — or roughly 1 ounce — of apparent methamphetamine.

The officers then delivered the emptied package to Nelson’s mailbox and watched him pick it up on the afternoon of Feb. 11. As Nelson prepared to walk into his home, Reece approached and detained him.

In a subsequent interview with DCI, “Nelson admitted to ordering the methamphetamine,” Reece wrote. Nelson also reportedly said that the agents — who had a search warrant for his home — would find paraphernalia and a small amount of meth in his bedroom safe. A subsequent search of the safe turned up 16 grams of apparent meth and 10 counterfeit Adderall pills that tested positive for meth, the affidavit says.

Nelson reportedly told DCI that “he acted alone and no other persons within his residence had knowledge of the purchased methamphetamine or his use within the home,” Reece recounted. Nelson’s significant other, who owns the residence, similarly told agents that she knew nothing about the meth.

The affidavit says four children, including a grade schooler, live in the home. Reece said he reported the incident to the Wyoming Department of Family Services and recommended Nelson be charged with a felony count of endangering children, for having meth in the dwelling with the kids. However, the county attorney’s office filed the sole felony possession charge, which carries up to seven years of potential prison time. 

After prosecutor Eichele recommended the $15,000 bond figure, Nelson asked for the opportunity to get out of jail so he could continue working.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said at last week’s hearing in Park County Circuit Court. “I’ll check in every hour if you guys need me to.”

However, Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah stuck with the prosecution’s request, saying the alleged quantity of meth raised a public safety concern and that the allegations of counterfeit Adderall “causes me a great pause.”

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Friday.