Two Lincoln County residents facing drug and child endangerment charges following an investigation earlier this year by local law enforcement agencies appeared recently in Lincoln County District Court.

Deborah Emily Yaws, 33, of Libby was initially accused of three felonies, child endangerment and two counts of possessing methamphetamine, and possessing drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

She and fellow defendant, Brock Daniel Svendsbye, 47, both pleaded not guilty to the charges at their respective arraignments April 27 in Lincoln County District Court.

But on July 20, Yaws, represented by S. Charles Sprinkle, entered guilty pleas to felony child endangerment and possession of methamphetamine, a dangerous drug. 

District Judge Matt Cuffe accepted the pleas and asked Yaws if she could afford the pay the fines outlined in the plea deal. Yaws said she could.

Cuffe set her sentencing for Sept. 14 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

But Svendsbye is apparently taking a bit different path in the disposition of his case.

Svendsbye is also accused of three felonies, child endangerment and two counts of possessing methamphetamine, and possessing drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. He secured a release on his recognizance May 26. He agreed to reside with his aunt at 621 Wisconsin Ave., Libby. He also was subject to continuous drug patch monitoring within 24 hours of his release from custody and at his own expense. The requirement included reporting to probation every two weeks to have the drug patch replaced.

He was represented by Maury Solomon before Daniel Wood took over the case July 1. At the July 20 pre-trial conference, it appeared Svendsbye may go to trial, but Wood said his client was attempting to get into the county’s treatment court.

Cuffe told Svendsbye and his attorney to find out what the status of that application was.

While it’s not known if Svendsbye spoke to officials about admittance to treatment court, a motion to revoke his release and issue a bench warrant was filed July 23.

In the motion, probation officer Vanessa Williamson described the circumstances that led officials to seek his return to custody.

She reported that Svendsbye hadn't reported to have his drug patch replaced since July 6 and when she called the residence he was supposed to be residing in he didn't answer or return the call.

In the original probable cause statement by Libby police officer Vince Smart, he joined other city and county sheriff officers April 3 to serve an arrest warrant at a residence on East 4th Street in Libby. The arrest warrant was a result of a previous search warrant that resulted in illegal narcotics being found in a vehicle registered to Yaws and Svendsbye.

County Lt. Derek Breiland took both into custody and Ofc. Smart worked to clear the apartment. Smart saw a metal instrument used to clean meth or similar pipes. Yaws gave Breiland permission to retrieve a pair of shoes for her and the officer saw a clear, plastic bag with white residue and a scoop on top of a dresser inside the door.

The officers then secured the residence and applied for a search warrant. 

Both Svendsbye and Yaws were taken to the county jail where detention officers reported finding a tab of film used to treat opioid dependence inside a plastic bag inside Yaws’ bra. Breiland then learned that Yaws’ children stay at the residence.

After District Judge Matt Cuffe approved the search warrant for the apartments, Smart found a hypodermic needle, razor blades and other paraphernalia. He also found a mirror and two plastic bags with white residue. The substance field tested positive for meth.

Investigators also found a small makeup jar that had an orange, clumpy powder in it. Det. Brandon Holzer advised that the substance was possibly a drug too dangerous for a field test. The search also turned up multiple articles of children’s clothing, toys, diapers and baby formula.

Smart reported that every piece of paraphernalia, the needle, razor blades and the top of the dresser with white residue on it were all accessible to small children.

In the other apartment, little was found other than a can of rotting soup.

A conviction for drug possession could result in a 5-year prison term while a paraphernalia charge could result in a 6-month jail sentence. A conviction for child endangerment could result in a 5-year prison term.

    Deborah Emily Ann Yaws appeared July 20, 2026, in Lincoln County District Court. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)