-from gjsentinel.com-

By Mike Saccone

A Grand Junction man was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine possession and illegal weapon possession after the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team recovered methamphetamine and a small arsenal from his home Tuesday afternoon.

Ellery Rexford Emert, 48, 2539 Davis Drive, was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine possession, felony menacing, aggravated robbery, auto theft and other related charges after a report of a threatening encounter blossomed into full-blown drug bust.

Deputies received a report Saturday night that a man named “Bud” had threatened another man with a weapon, according to Emerts’ arrest affidavit.

When deputies reported to the scene, 23-year-old Crystal Johnson told the officers “Bud,” later confirmed to be Emert, stole Johnson’s car the night before “due to a drug deal that went bad,” the affidavit said.

When Johnson’s ex-boyfriend, Jeremy Arnold, approached Emert to ask for the car back, “Bud became angry with him,” according to the affidavit.

“Jeremy reports Bud was then observed loading a shotgun and then loading a Ruger .22 caliber handgun (and) placing the handgun in the small of his back,” the affidavit said. “Jeremy reports being told by Bud not to return or he would be dead.”

Based on these facts, the SWAT team executed a “no-knock search warrant” on Emert’s home on Tuesday.

“A search of Emert’s residence at 2539 Davis Drive produced several weapons to include shotguns as well as methamphetamines … found in the bedroom of Ellery and (42-year-old) Chrisy Emert,” the affidavit said.

Both Emerts were arrested on suspicion of child abuse after deputies reported finding “food and refuse … scattered throughout the residence to include the 14-year-old daughter’s bedroom,” the affidavit said.

Ellery Emert told Mesa County Judge Gretchen Larson during a Wednesday hearing that he was sure there was a mistake with the charges, which could land him in prison for up to 48 years.

“They say suspected methamphetamines because there isn’t any,” Emert told the court. “I’m innocent until proven guilty.”

Nonetheless, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger requested a high bond for Emert, noting the “sheer volume” of his 10 pending felony and misdemeanor cases.

Larson agreed, setting the bond at $200,000, saying if the charges are true, they are “very disturbing.”

Both Emerts will return to court next week.