Michael Earp faces charges of attempted murder and a felony controlled substance violation for a shooting incident which occurred on March 5. -- Photo: Tama County Jail

Michael Anthony Earp pled not guilty for attempted murder April 8 stemming from a March 5 shooting incident in Chelsea.

Along with an attempted murder charge, the 49-year-old Earp was charged on April 12 with a felony controlled substance violation.

A follow up search warrant was conducted following the shooting investigation.

Approximately 23 grams of methamphetamine was located as well as packaging, digital scales, drug ledgers and $8,177 in U.S. currency.

Indica was located near some of the methamphetamine with Earp’s name on it to include a one gallon size ziploc bag with methamphetamine residue with “Earp” written on it. There were also messages indicating drug sales on Earp’s phone.

Earp is being held on a $30,000 cash bond. A jury trial is scheduled for May 24. Earp is being represented by public defender Scott T Hunter.

Shooting incident

According to court documents, on March 5 Michael Anthony Earp allegedly made repeated threats to kill a woman at a residence in the 200 block of Irish Street in Chelsea.

Earp allegedly assaulted the victim in the bathroom of the residence, holding her down on the floor, strangling her while saying, “Today is the day you end” and “I’m going to kill you today.” Earp allegedly strangled the victim until he was shot in the head. Court documents do not disclose who shot Earp and no additional arrests have been made in connection to the incident.

Earp was transported by air ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. He was arrested at the hospital on March 11. Since then, he has been discharged from the hospital and is currently in custody at the Tama County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

In December, Earp was charged with two felonies for controlled substance violation and an aggravated misdemeanor for carrying weapons following a traffic stop in Mount Pleasant.

According to court documents, Earp ran from authorities which instigated a high-speed chase, reaching speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour.

Once authorities apprehended Earp, multiple items related to narcotics trafficking were found in his vehicle including drug paraphernalia, 1.5 to 4 grams of what appeared to be marijuana, a large sum of cash and metallic knuckles with a fixed knife blade attached to it.

Earp was released in December from the Henry County Jail on bond for $15,000.