Two men arrested June 16 in Adams — one of whom a deputy said made threats — have pleaded not guilty to drug charges in Mower County Court.

Ryan Timothy Nickelsen, 29, of Frontenac, and Gregory Victor Ahlers, 47, of Lake City, both pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.

Nickelsen pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony fifth-degree drug possession, a gross misdemeanor charge for giving the name of another person to an officer and a misdemeanor charge for driving after suspension. Ahlers pleaded not guilty to two counts of fifth-degree drug possession and one of terroristic threats, all felonies.

Deputies arrested the men at about 4:30 a.m. that day after seeing them parked in car, leaned back in their seats at an Adams gas station. A deputy spoke with the suspects and reportedly saw a plastic container, smelled a strong odor of marijuana and saw several cell phones in the car.

Deputies searched and allegedly found $2,620, $900 and $500 in cash in separate pockets of Nickelsen’s pants, two wallets, identification cards for two other people and a clipped ID belonging to Nickelsen. Nickelsen told authorities he and Ahlers were returning from Treasure Island Casino, according to the court complaint.

Deputies asked Ahlers to get out of the vehicle eight times before he complied, the complaint added, but Ahlers said he was falling asleep and having health problems because of a heart attack several days prior.

Deputies searched the vehicle and reportedly found 65 grams of marijuana, $2,019 in cash, a jar with a small amount of cocaine, a digital scale, various paraphernalia and 10 to 15 cell phones. While they were waiting for a tow truck, Ahlers complained of more health issues, so deputies called for an ambulance. However, Ahlers then got angry and told a deputy, “I’m going to find out where you live, break into your house and rape your wife,” the complaint stated. Ahlers went to the hospital and was later released and placed in the Mower County jail, along with Nickelsen.