Oregon couple facing drug trafficking charges

BONNERS FERRY — An Oregon couple are facing trafficking charges following a suspicious vehicle report that led Bonners Ferry Police to stop their car in late September.

Following the traffic stop, Matthew Bates and his wife Wendy Bates were charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and drug paraphernalia.

According to court documents, Wendy was booked for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, controlled substances and unlawful possession of a firearm.

In addition, Wendy Bates faces felony enhancements because of prior felony convictions in 2000, 2011 and 2012 related to theft, possession of controlled substances and delivery of methamphetamine.

Matthew Bates faces felony enhancements for convictions in 1993, 2011 and 2015 related to robbery, kidnapping, delivering methamphetamine and child sex abuse charges.

Bonners Ferry Assistant Police Chief Marty Ryan said in an affidavit that he was about to pull over a black Pontiac Grand Am for expired license plates when it pulled into the Kootenai River Inn parking lot after it had been reported as suspicious early on Sept. 22.

After providing identification, Ryan noted the information was covered by a worn sticker and asked Matthew Bates to step out of his vehicle. Stippich arrived on the scene and talked to Wendy Bates; Ryan searched Matthew Bates and discovered a knife on his waist, which was confiscated.

According to court records, when asked if the couple had any narcotics in the car, Matthew Bates admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle.

According to Ryan, Bates asked his wife to present the marijuana in her purse to the police. Court records indicate that, in addition to marijuana, the baggie contained methamphetamine.

Following the discovery, both were placed under arrest. In a search of the vehicle, several weapons were found and confiscated.

“Both Matthew and Wendy Bates have extensive criminal histories, precluding them from owning any firearms,” Ryan said in a news release.

Police said they also discovered a gray backpack with a plastic bag containing approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine and a jar containing 10 grams of methamphetamine. In addition, they said a red electronic scale was found on the floorboard near the passenger seat with a large amount of methamphetamine, Oregon identification, and a variety of drug paraphernalia.

In speaking to police after waiving his rights, Matthew Bates admitted to buying and supplying others with methamphetamine, Ryan said, who added that the Oregon man indicated his destination was Troy, Mont.

The couple was booked at the Boundary County Jail while their cat in the vehicle was transported and booked into the Second Chance Animal Shelter.