Wehner back in MT, half-pound of meth found in car
Sally Balcaen | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 2 months AGO
Thomas Wehner
Thomas Wehner of Bonners Ferry is back in Cascade County as of Oct. 28 after fleeing to Idaho and violating the terms of his original $100,000 bond. Wehner is connected to a suspicious death investigation and facing criminal drug distribution and possession charges.
Wehner confessed to providing Edward Hyatt with methamphetamine, who was later found dead in the front yard of a residence on October 1.
According to an article by the Great Falls Tribune, documents state that Wehner told police he watched Hyatt fall to the ground after injecting the meth.
Wehner also admitted to trading the meth for Vicodin pills.
The charging document says investigators found a pill bottle, with the label ripped off, containing hydrocodone pills matching a prescription issued to Hyatt.
According to the Tribune, detectives also found more than half a pound of meth in the car. The going rate for a pound of meth is about $15,000 on the street.
Wehner is being held on a bail of $150,000.
ARTICLES BY SALLY BALCAEN
Boundary County Sheriffs refute dog claims
There has recently been media reports of a large number of dogs being shot and killed in Boundary County. KHQ News released a story on Jan. 12 stating that as many as 90 dogs had been found dead at a dump site north of Bonners Ferry near the Canadian Border. Since then, several other news outlets have picked up the story. However, according to a press release from the Boundary County Sheriff's Office, these stories are not factual. Based on reported information that the BCSO has received, the number of dogs is significantly inaccurate. While there have been a few isolated reports of dogs being killed over the past year, these reported incidents have not been found to be related. So far, there have been only four confirmed dog shootings. The BCSO is investigating a few other recent reports as well. In order for a crime, such as a dog being unlawfully killed, to be investigated, persons with knowledge of this crime need to contact the law enforcement agency who has jurisdiction in that area. Some reports brought in of a dog being killed have led to charges brought against the person(s) responsible for the deaths. Anyone with any firsthand knowledge of dogs being unlawfully killed or disposed in Boundary County are asked to contact the Boundary County Sheriff's Office at 267-3151.
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Since the disappearance of Michael Rocha in November, the Boundary County Sheriff's Office, Bonners Ferry Police Department and the Idaho State Police have been actively investigating the case. During the course of the investigation, it has been determined that Rocha is deceased. Chief Deputy Rich Stephens confirmed that Rocha's death is now being investigated as a homicide. No charges have been filed in connection with Rocha's death at this time. Rocha, 58, went missing on Nov. 8. He was not a permanent resident of Boundary County, but was staying with different friends in the area. The last contact the BCSO had with Rocha was when deputies responded to a call for assistance for Rocha by a relative of his.
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The Boundary County Sheriff's Office is continuing their search into missing resident Aram Wade Dowell. Dowell, 36, was last seen Dec. 16. Candy Colvin, Dowell's mother, is very concerned for her son. "Three weeks, no one's seen him," said Colvin, "He hasn't called. It's like he fell off the face off the earth." According to Colvin, Dowell vanished shortly after a domestic dispute with his father-in-law, who fired several shots in his direction.The Sheriff's Office confirmed that there was a physical altercation between Dowell and his father-in-law, who was armed with a pistol. No one was injured. According to Chief Deputy Rich Stephens, however, there is no indication of foul play in Dowell's disappearance. As of now, the Sheriff's Office is checking in with Dowell's contacts for information. Dowell sold his truck before disappearing, therefore making it more difficult for deputies. "We don't have a vehicle or anything to trace," said Stephens. Colvin finds his disappearance abnormal, though. "It's not like him not to call anyone," said Colvin. Colvin asks Boundary County residents to "please keep your eyes open and please call the Sheriff's Office if you have any information."