Couple arrested on drug charges
BOUNDARY COUNTY — A couple was arrested on charges of drug possession after they were found stuck in a vehicle on the side of the road in sub-zero temperature. When found, one of them was found in the trunk.
On Dec. 22 around 1 a.m. Boundary County Sheriff’s Office Deputy David Wion came upon a vehicle with Washington state plates that had slid off the road at Bench Road.
Jacob Billy Joseph Mutter, 29, was in the driver seat, according to an affidavit. In the document, Wion wrote he informed Mutter he needed to get the vehicle towed because it was a traffic hazard.
Wion requested a drug detection K-9 and said based on past experience it is common for drug traffickers to utilize rental cars to transport narcotics and that he was familiar with Mutter’s priors. Bonners Ferry Police Department provided backup.
Mutter was on felony probation and consented to a search. In the rear passenger area, Wion found a woman’s purse and wallet. He found identification for Crystal Giles, 31 who was wanted on two arrest warrants and is in a relationship with Mutter.
When inspecting the trunk, officers found Giles hidden under a blanket, according to the affidavit. After a search of the trunk, court records said that 14 blue pills, a powdery substance, white crystal substance, marijuana, subscriptions and drug paraphernalia were discovered.
The affidavit said Mutter and Giles each denied knowledge and ownership of the illegal drugs. Giles said she was in the trunk on her own free will. Both Mutter and Giles were put under arrest for two counts of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor for possession of marijuana.
The 14 blue pills are suspected to be fentanyl, the white crystal substance tested positive for meth. Bond is sent for $50,000 for Mutter.
Giles has a bench warrant out of Bonner County for failure to appear at evidentiary hearing, bond is set at $40,000 and a bench warrant out of Boundary County for failing to appear for a pre-trial conference set at $10,000. Bond is set for $50,000.
Both have a preliminary hearing on Dec. 30.
