COEUR D’ALENE– Darrin Craig Dahl, 43, of St. Maries, Idaho, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Dahl was indicted by a federal grand Jury in Coeur d'Alene on August 16, 2016.
According to the plea agreement, Dahl admitted that on June 12, 2016, he was driving erratically on U.S. 95 in Benewah county. A Benewah County Sheriff's deputy and a Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police officer tried to pull him over when Dahl jumped from his vehicle and tried to flee. He was arrested and found in possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, baggies and cash. As part of the plea agreement, Dahl agreed to forfeit $4,000 in drug proceeds. Dahl also admitted that he was subject to a sentencing enhancement due to his previous drug conviction from Nez Perce County, Idaho in 2014.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute with the sentencing enhancement is punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison, a maximum fine of $8,000,000, and at least 8 years but up to life of supervised release.
Sentencing is set for April 25, 2017, before Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodgeat the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.
“This demonstrates why it is critically important that there be good communication between local and tribal law enforcement,” Olson said. “Only by all law enforcement, state, county, tribal, city and federal working together can we do what we are charged to do, keep our communities safe.”
The case was investigated by the Benewah County Sheriff’s Office, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police and Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Unit.