A North Liberty man has been accused of having a controlled substance while on probation.

Jason Hardy, 30, was charged Oct. 22 with subsequent-offense possession of a controlled substance.

According to a North Liberty police complaint, an officer doing a bar check reportedly saw Hardy staggering. The officer approached him and asked about his probation and if he had consumed alcohol.

The officer asked Hardy if he had anything illegal on him. Hardy turned his pockets inside out and a white pill fell out of his left jeans pocket. The pill was identified as 1 mg of Lorazepam, a schedule-four controlled substance.

Hardy stated he was having a hard time with his divorce and his lmother gave him the pill. He has prior convictions on Nov. 31, 2011, Sept. 14, 2012, and Oct. 8, 2012.

Subsequent-offense possession of a controlled substance is a Class-D felony.

— by Megan Sanchez