Not guilty plea entered to drug charges

David Johnson entered a plea of not guilty through his attorney, Britt Cotter, to a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs in 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday. According to the charging documents, on February 11, 2022, the Thompson Falls Police Department received a report of an erratic driver heading toward Thompson Falls. Officer Jason Thornton located the vehicle matching the description and observed the erratic driving behavior prior to initiating a stop. Thornton was familiar with Johnson and noted his behavior was abnormal compared to previous encounters. Johnson was cited for DUI, and when searched, drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine residue were found. Judge James A. Manley set a trial date of October 24, 2022.

Jordan Keefe appeared before the court for a hearing on the merits regarding a petition to revoke filed in a 2014 case, following a second supplemental affidavit being filed in support. Deputy County Attorney Cheryl Copperstone called Officer Casey Eggam to testify. Eggam testified regarding reported probation violations by Keefe. Eggam additionally informed the court that he has not observed Keefe make any changes to his behavior and has exhibited behaviors that are concerning for the safety of the community. After his testimony, the parties agreed to only move forward with the violations as reported in the initial petition to revoke from August 2021.

Keefe also took the stand and testified that he denies all allegations against him and he believes his constitutional rights have been violated, in addition to other state and federal laws. Judge Manley found that the prosecution proved the allegations in the petition and revoked Keefe’s previous suspended sentence. Keefe was remanded to the custody of the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office pending his sentencing hearing, set for May 24.