Men, 72 and 59, charged with selling meth from home in rural New Prague

Two men have been arrested and charged by the Le Sueur County Attorney's Office after being found in possession of a third of a pound of methamphetamine.

The Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force (CRDVOTF) executed a search warrant in rural New Prague Monday morning that led to the seizure and the arrest of Scott Diestler, 72, and James Becker, 59.

Several pre-packaged bags containing a total of 54 grams of meth, along with a scale and clean bags, were found in Becker's bedroom. Becker confessed to officers that he purchased the meth and sold it in smaller amounts, according to charges.

Diestler was found in his bed, and when agents searched his bedroom, several zip bags were found containing a total of 104 grams of suspected meth along with a scale and clean bags.

Two loaded .38 caliber revolvers were also found under Diestler's pillow.

Becker was charged with 1st-degree controlled substance crimes, while Diestler faces aggravated 1st-degree controlled substance crimes and a charge of being a prohibited persons in possession of a firearm.

At the time of his arrest, Diestler was on pre-trial release for a 1st-degree drug charge in 2023 after being found in possession of more than 100 grams of meth in Montgomery, Minnesota.

"I commend the Agents and local law enforcement officers who continue to pursue these repeat offenders despite the heightened safety risks that come with these investigations," said CRDVOTF Commander Scott O’Brien.

"The goal of the CRDVOTF is to hold drug dealers accountable for spreading deadly drugs within our communities."