A 36-year-old Spokane man who pleaded guilty to trafficking heroin will spend three years in prison if a judge accepts the terms of a plea agreement.

Post Falls police busted Jacob H. Kennedy after an October traffic stop in Post Falls and found almost a half ounce of heroin in his possession, according to police reports.

Kennedy told officers the drugs were his and that he cuts — or dilutes — the heroin with sugar, and shares it with other people. He also had a scale and packaging material, police said.

Kennedy pleaded guilty Friday to trafficking between two and seven grams of heroin, which carries between three years and life behind bars and a $10,000 fine.

The plea bargain amended the initial charges that accused Kennedy of having more than seven grams of heroin, as well as methamphetamine.

Possessing between seven and 28 grams of heroin is trafficking. It carries a mandatory 10-year sentence and a minimum fine of $15,000.

First District Judge Richard Christensen on Friday said if he accepts the terms of the plea agreement, he would also impose the $10,000 fine on the lesser charge.

Kennedy was a passenger in a white, 1997 Chevy Malibu that was stopped by police at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6 for having an obstructed license plate.

Police said the occupants of the car were furiously moving around as a police officer approached the vehicle. Police saw paraphernalia inside the car. Kennedy was on probation at the time of the stop. The driver of the car, Hollyann M. Stutheit, said the paraphernalia and drugs belonged to Kennedy, who was arrested and posted $50,000 bail to get out of jail.

Christensen set an April 16 sentencing hearing.