O'Bryant faces controlled substance charges
(Photo courtesy of BCSO) Phillip Robert O'Bryant, 32
BONNERS FERRY — Phillip O’Bryant, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18 after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture or deliver.
O’Bryant faces a felony conviction and possible term of life imprisonment, a fine of $25,000 or both. First District Judge Barbara Buchanan will preside over the case.
The charges originate from an Oct. 18, 2020, routine traffic stop, with Bonners Ferry Police Sgt. Willie Cowell and Boundary County Sheriff's deputy Alan Schlief with Idaho State Police Trooper Mike Martinez.
According to court records, O’Bryant was at the Kootenai River Inn parking lot, where he was spotted by Cowell, who testified he was aware of an active arrest warrant out of Kootenai County.
Cowell testified he requested a narcotics K-9 unit respond to the scene because of O’Bryant’s previous narcotics-related charges. The K-9 quickly alerted law enforcement to the odor of a controlled substance coming from the truck.
A truck search revealed an ounce of methamphetamine in a magnetized plastic container; later positively tested as methamphetamine. No other drugs or paraphernalia were found in the vehicle.
Two cell phones found in the car were checked for evidence of drug activity following a search warrant.
According to court documents, after O’Bryant was read his Miranda rights, he allegedly said to take the methamphetamine to an unknown person on U.S. Highway 2 near the Montana border. He also told police this was his third drug run, Cowell testified.
O’Bryant also faces an unrelated charge in Bonner County for malicious injury to property. In addition, he is scheduled to appear before a jury on Oct. 18 and a charge of driving without privileges; and battery charges in Kootenai County. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.