Abraham released

 Boundary County Prosecutor Jack Douglas dismissed felony drug charges Wednesday due to lack of jurisdiction against Nicole Abraham, 24, of Bonners Ferry.

According to court records,  the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has been recognized as a sovereign nation by the United States government since 1855.  Since Abraham was arrested on Indian Lands,  jurisdiction lies with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho or the Federal Government. 

Douglas has made contact with the United States Attorney’s Office  to request they prosecute this case. Relevant police reports and other information are being gathered for analysis and potential presentation to a Federal Grand Jury.

On June 9 Abraham was arrested by a Bonners Ferry Police Drug Task Force officer at her Kootenai Mission home. 

 Abraham was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and posession of methadonde.

The state has been informed that it does have jurisdiction over the a probation violation charge.  According to court records, Douglas intends to proceed with the matter as he would any alleged violation against any other defendant.

Abraham has a long history of drug abuse and possession charges.  She is on felony probation for supplying 16-year-old James “Jimmy” Wylie of Bonners Ferry with the drugs that led to his death on December 12, 2006.

Abraham also served time on one of eight other felony charges against her in connection with Wylie’s death and on separate related drug arrests from Sept. 12, 2006 and Feb. 2, 2008.

Abraham went before a judge after serving six months at Cottonwood to determine whether she  would serve out a two-to seven-year sentence or be released on a reduced sentence for Wylie’s death.  Abraham was released on good behavior.

Abraham was released on Wednesday from Boundary County Jail  on a $40,000 bond.