Saturday, September 26, 2026
41.0°F

Washington trio accused of drug trafficking

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 10 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | November 12, 2020 1:00 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Three Washington residents are facing felony charges after police said they trafficked drugs.

Police stopped a vehicle on U.S. 95 on Saturday for having an obstructed license plate. The driver was identified as Ashlie J. Green, 19, and the occupants were identified as Terrance A. Austin and Chance W. Case, both 35 years old.

After a K9 allegedly alerted to the scent of a narcotic coming from the vehicle, police performed a search, according to court documents.

Police said they found chunks of a brown substance they suspected to be heroin, as well as clear plastic bags containing chunks of the same substance.

The search also reportedly yielded paraphernalia, including a bong, used and unused pipes, used syringes, scorched tinfoil, straws used to consume illegal substances and a large scale with residue on it.

Police also allegedly found a plastic bag in Green’s bra, which contained a substance she said was heroin, according to court records.

In the trunk of the car, police said they found four tools, which Green said Austin and Case had stolen from a hardware store. The tools were worth more than $500.

Austin, Case and Green were arrested at the scene and charged with trafficking in heroin, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy, all felonies. Austin and Case are also charged with burglary, a felony.

Police said they found approximately eight grams of heroin in total, according to court documents.

In Idaho, trafficking between seven and 28 grams of heroin is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a minimum $15,000 fine.

A judge ordered that Austin and Case be held on $50,000 bail each, while Green is being held on $25,000 bail.

ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH

Prosecutor condemns threatening comments
September 26, 2026 1:09 a.m.

Prosecutor condemns threatening comments

After press release sparks outcry, Mortensen shares insight

After a news release about the outcome of a criminal case sparked outcry this week, Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Stan Mortensen said he aims to inform the public through the information he publishes, not fan the flames of anger.

No serious injuries after car drives off Resort parking garage
September 25, 2026 3:23 p.m.

No serious injuries after car drives off Resort parking garage

No serious injuries were reported Friday afternoon after an occupied vehicle drove off the third level of the Coeur d'Alene Resort parking garage, according to authorities.

KCRCC addresses investigation into Prop 1 signers
September 25, 2026 1:09 a.m.

KCRCC addresses investigation into Prop 1 signers

Details under wraps after lengthy meeting

In a tense meeting that stretched past midnight this week, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee discussed an investigation into members who signed to qualify a proposed abortion-rights initiative for the November ballot.