WALLACE — Two Montana residents accused of trafficking methamphetamine in Shoshone County were released after their initial court appearances Monday after Idaho State Police allegedly found about 29 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on Interstate 90. 

Ashley Barrett, 38, and Brian Hoerning, 42, both of Billings, were arrested July 23 and each charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, according to court records and a probable cause affidavit filed by Idaho State Police. 

According to the affidavit, Idaho State Police Cpl. Brandon Olson saw a white Subaru traveling east on Interstate 90 near milepost 44 around 7:30 p.m. July 23. Olson reported seeing a large crack across the windshield in front of the driver's seat. The vehicle later exited at milepost 47 into Smelterville, where the driver allegedly failed to stop before the limit line at the top of the off-ramp, prompting a traffic stop at the nearby Maverik convenience store. 

Hoerning was driving the car during the stop. However, both he and Barrett reportedly told Olson neither had a valid driver's license. 

While Olson was issuing a written warning, Sgt. Darius Dustin of the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office said his K-9 partner alerted to the odor of narcotics on the vehicle, the affidavit states. During a search, officers reported finding a meth pipe with white residue inside a green backpack on the front passenger floorboard and an empty THC cartridge in the passenger door. Investigators also reported finding a baggie containing a white crystal-like substance beneath the center console on the driver's side. 

The substance weighed about one ounce at the scene and later tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine using a TruNarc analyzer, according to the affidavit. The TruNarc is a handheld electronic device used by police and border officers to quickly identify illegal drugs. It can test for more than 1,200 substances, including cocaine, meth and fentanyl. 

After being re-weighed at the Idaho State Police District 1 office, the substance weighed about 29.0 grams. Investigators said the substance was submitted to the Idaho State Police laboratory for confirmation testing. 

Barrett and Hoerning were transported to the Shoshone County Jail and booked on the charges. Following first appearances Monday before Magistrate Judge Keisha Oxendine, Barrett was released on a $60,000 bond and Hoerning was released on a $50,000 bond. As a condition of release, both defendants must submit to drug testing six times per month. 

The trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine for cases involving 28 grams or more but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine. The offense is punishable by up to life in prison and a $100,000 fine upon conviction. The misdemeanor paraphernalia charge is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.   

Hoerning and Barrett are scheduled for preliminary hearings Aug. 6.