Charges are pending against a town of LaFayette businessman arrested on drug charges last week after allegedly selling crack cocaine to an undercover police informant.

Kirk Brown, 50, owner of Kirk Brown Excavating, 5422 169th Street, is free on $2,500 cash bond. He is to appear in court Feb. 3, at which time a criminal complaint is normally filed.

According to a search warrant document filed in Chippewa County Court this week, controlled drug buys by confidential informants targeted one of Brown’s employees, identified as Robert E. Kent, 46. The buys led to the setting up of a controlled buy from Brown on Sept. 8 during which Brown allegedly boasted of the purity of the crack cocaine. Multiple controlled buys were set up with Kent and Brown in the following weeks, including at Brown’s business.

Investigations of the activities at Brown Excavating continued into December. The search warrant was served late last week and Brown appeared for a bond hearing Dec. 12.

Searches were conducted at Brown’s business, home and cabin. Found in the search were a number of firearms, scales, drug paraphernalia and containers of suspected marijuana. No cocaine was found.

Kent’s residence was also searched, but there is no indication of any illegal substances seized. Kent has not been arrested.

Formal charges have not yet been filed. Typically, a criminal complaint is filed prior to the court date given at the bond hearing, in this case, Feb. 3.