James John Mentz, also known as James John Mentz-Ball, 29, of Austin pleaded guilty to felony third-degree drugs-sale of a narcotic drug as part of a plea agreement on Monday in Mower County District Court. He initially pleaded not guilty on Sept. 10.

According to the court complaint, narcotics officers met with a confidential reliable informant (CRI) on May 4. The CRI said he could purchase methamphetamine from Mentz. The officers searched the CRI, provided him with buy money and equipped him with an audio recording device. They then monitored him as he went to meet with Mentz at a residence in the 300 block of Fourth Street Southeast.

The CRI called the officers after meeting with Mentz to confirm that Mentz intended to meet him with the drugs, the complaint states. He then went to an area near Second Avenue and Fourth Street Northeast and again met with Mentz. The CRI and Mentz drove around and Mentz sold him 0.36 grams of methamphetamine. The CRI then met with the officers at a predetermined location and surrendered the drugs.

A review of Mentz’s criminal history shows prior convictions for theft, burglary and malicious punishment of a child.

Mentz will be sentenced at a later date.