POLSON — A Ronan man pleaded innocent in District Court Wednesday to three counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs on or near school property.

Leonard Irvine, the 56-year-old Ronan man, is accused of providing drugs, alcohol and cigarettes to teenage girls, who he allegedly knew to be under 18 years of age.

Each of the three felony counts that Irvine is charged with carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces a lesser charge, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, which carries a maximum of five years in prison.

According to court documents, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department initiated their investigation into Irvine last summer, after receiving a tip from the school’s principal. The principal reported that he had received multiple complaints from parents about Irvine, who allegedly allowed female students to visit his house during school hours.

School Resource Officer, Jay Gilhouse, monitored Irvine’s residence, which is less than 500 feet from Ronan High School, and observed girls entering and exiting during their lunch periods, the document states.

After obtaining a warrant, Gilhouse, with the assistance of Tribal Police, searched Irvine’s residence. They discovered evidence of drug use including needles, spoons with white powder residue, multiple prescription drug containers, mirrors and razor blades.

When the defendant was interviewed, he allegedly admitted to having prescriptions for numerous drugs and narcotics and admitted that he is addicted to methamphetamines.

He also allegedly told police that he allowed his teenage visitors to snort crushed Lortabs. When asked by police if he was exchanging the pills for sexual favors, Irvine said, “I told ‘em if you want the pills, all you gotta do is ask. I got ‘em.”

Judge C.B. McNeil kept Irvine’s bond at $500,000 and set a trial for August 15. In addition to jail time, Irvine faces a $50,000 fine on each of the three felony counts and the lesser charge.

Detective Rick Lenz, who took over the case for Gilhouse, said that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges may be filed in the future.

Irvine currently remains in custody.