Smith accepts plea deal, 4 controlled substance charges

BONNERS FERRY — Shallyn Smith, 28, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, substances into a correctional facility and driving under the influence.

According to court documents, on Feb. 5, around 3:30 p.m., a white Chevy Impala traveling above the speed limit just north of the Oriental Garden restaurant, where speed limits begin to decrease.

Bonners Ferry police officer Scott Davis noticed the vehicle driving over the speed limit and conducted a routine stop at the end of Bauman Street.

Initially, Davis turned on his emergency lights to signal to Smith to pull over, but she kept driving and turned on Bauman Street; she began going faster than the posted speed limit.

According to Davis, after Smith began driving faster, he turned on his sirens, hoping she would stop, but she didn’t stop until driving more than 100 yards.

Davis was able to pull over Smith and discovered Tyler Simmons in the passenger seat. Court documents state Simmons and Smith have a child together.

According to court documents, Smith began to tremble and lit herself a cigarette, and Davis noticed this nervous behavior.

When confronted about the delay in pulling over, Smith responded to Davis stating she didn’t see the lights or hear the siren. She also said she was attempting to reach her mother’s residence to access the Wi-Fi to load her proof of insurance.

Davis reported the potential impaired behavior being displayed by Smith.

“While speaking with Smith, I noticed her eyes were clearly bloodshot and glossy, she displayed pinpoint pupils,” Davis said.

Previously, Davis was made aware of Smith’s past encounters with law enforcement and her probation for drug use while pregnant. Stating the signs of impairment with the history of substance abuse prompted him to request a narcotics K-9.

A citation was issued for speeding, and Sgt. Willie Cowell and Border Patrol agent Dave Grainger arrived with the K-9 unit.

The K-9 quickly gave a positive alert to the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle. Smith and Simmons complied with instructions to exit the vehicle and stand with Cowell.

Officers began a vehicle search with a discovery of a box with folded and used tinfoil with black residue, a makeshift tooter with black reside, and Smith quickly took responsibility for the drug paraphernalia found in her purse.

A test of the items discovered confirmed the black residue was heroin.

The court documents details that Smith could not keep balance, follow simple instructions, showed signs of nystagmus, unable to maintain balance during instruction, and could not complete sobriety field tests.

Simmons also showed similar signs and slumped over, displaying signs of potentially falling asleep, later placed in custody for possession of controlled substances and suspicion of driving under the influence.

Smith later confirmed she ingested a “Mexi” pill with OxyContin as the main ingredient but known for having Fentanyl.

Initially, Smith agreed to provide a urine sample but refused to be strip-searched and reneged on the agreement.

When informed of the situation, Cowell spoke to Davis to remove Smith from the cell, handcuff her, review video surveillance, and maintain a visual on Smith.

After reviewing the Smith was seen unbuttoning her pants, reaching inside her pants, reaching in the crotch area, and it was unclear what she pulled out and potentially ingested.

As stated in the court documents, “Smith did admit to having something in or about her vaginal cavity.”

Madison Parker, a dispatcher for the facilities, provided a thorough strip search. Parker located a baggie containing 2 grams of white crystalline substance, which was concealed inside Smith and tested positive for methamphetamine.

A urine analysis was facilitated by Parker, with results confirming Smith had amphetamines, methamphetamines, THC, opiates and oxycontin.

In the plea agreement, Smith agreed to four charges dismissing the attempted destruction of evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia; she will be expected to participate in a drug rehabilitation program run by the Good Samaritan nonprofit.

Sentencing for Smith will occur on July 7.