Probation is ordered in pot possession case
Keith KINNAIRD<br | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 16 years, 2 months AGO
SANDPOINT - A Washington teen who was caught with a substantial amount of marijuana during a reckless driving investigation has been sentenced to probation.
District Judge John Patrick Luster cited Ian A. McQueen's lack of a criminal record, his candor to police and a presentence investigator and a distinguished record of community service as factors in the sentence of two years of probation with drug testing.
McQueen, 19, attracted the attention of law enforcement on March 30, when he was behind of the wheel of a Toyota 4-Runner driving down Schweitzer Mountain Road. The occupants of the sport utility vehicle were reportedly hanging out of the vehicle and throwing things at traffic, according to an Idaho State Police report
A Schweitzer shuttle bus driver told police a banana peel struck his windshield when he encountered the SUV on the mountain road, according to court documents.
An ISP trooper smelled the odor of pot when McQueen's rig was stopped. A search turned up an unspecified amount of the drug. McQueen was charged with possession with intent to deliver, a charge which was reduced to felony possession of three or more ounces in exchange for a plea.
"I made some past mistakes and it's time to move forward and do what I know is best," McQueen said at the hearing.
But Luster had trouble squaring McQueen's potential for being responsible with his conduct on the mountain road, which he said was "mind-boggling." He added that calling it a stupid act would be an "understatement."
"I guess that's why they call it dope," Luster said.
ARTICLES BY KEITH KINNAIRD<BR
Appeals court rules in cattle truck spill case
SANDPOINT — Idaho’s Court of Appeals is upholding the vacated judgment against a Canadian cattle truck driver accused of spilling a mixture of feces, urine and rainwater on U.S. Highway 95 in Boundary County.
Constitutional amendments on Nov. 2 ballot
SANDPOINT — Idaho voters will get a chance to weigh in on Idaho constitutional amendments concerning funding for the University of Idaho and public airports, hospitals and electrical systems.
Man with child porn arrested by Border Patrol
PORTHILL — A United States citizen was arrested earlier this month after allegedly getting his car stuck while attempting to sneak into Canada with a laptop computer containing child pornography.