February 9, 2004
Even a small amount of methamphetamine can get you in trouble, even if you claim it isn’t yours.
Jonathan Hicks, 22, Bonners Ferry, was sentenced today to 90 days in jail, three years supervised probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine, $500 in prosecution fees and $100 to cover the costs incurred by the Idaho State Police Lab for testing residue that was found in paraphernalia found in Hicks’ car when he was stopped for a headlight being out at about 9:15 p.m. July 21, 2003, in the city parking lot off U.S. 95.
Bonners Ferry Police officer Alan Ashby made the routine stop. Hicks was unable to produce his vehicle registration and proof of insurance, and admitted he knew the headlight was broken. After issuing Hicks a citation for failing to provide insurance and failing to carry registration, Ashby asked for consent to search the car, Hicks agreed, saying nothing in the car was his. Ashby went back to his patrol vehicle to retrieve his flashlight, and Hicks pulled a brown briefcase from the backseat. According to reports, he set it on the trunk, and nervously told Ashby there wasn’t anything inside, “just papers and stuff.”
Instead, Ashby found several clear baggies consistent with those used for transporting drugs, along with a blue pipe with what appeared to be marijuana residue inside. He advised Hicks of his Miranda rights, and after being assured there was nothing else in the car, Ashby proceeded to find a small metal box. Hicks insisted it wasn’t his. Inside, Ashby found a collection of drug paraphernalia and several straws with residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.
Hicks later said the metal box belonged to his former girlfriend, and said he’d taken it from her the day before with the intent of disposing of it in an effort to help her kick her drug habit. He said he forgot to toss it out, then forgot it was in the vehicle. But he also confessed that he’d used meth several times in the previous four months.
Initially charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, he pled guilty to the felony and the misdemeanor charge was dismissed.
Due to the defendant’s age and relatively clean record, Boundary County prosecutor Jack Douglas recommended that District Judge Steven Verby withhold judgment and impose local jail time and probation.
“As a result of alert police work by the Bonners Ferry Police Department, more methamphetamines were seized, getting them off our streets,” Douglas said. “I recommended supervised probation so that probation and parole can help guide this young man to rehabilitation. The 90 days serves as a warning that punishment will be forthcoming, even for those with little prior criminal history.”