Adam Johnson sent this Facebook message to HucksOnline: “After much consideration on whether to pursue official judicial clarification regarding the implications of how a withheld judgement differs from a straight conviction, I have made the decision to officially cease my pursuit of the office of Sheriff in the upcoming 2012 election cycle. Though disappointed that I will not be able to run this time around, the causes of such were the result of my own actions and lapse in judgement that led to the charges that now ultimately disqualify me from running for office. The experience up to this point has been exhilarating and the support I have received in this endeavor has been nothing short of amazing. I look forward to such time when there will be no barriers to my pursuit of public office and to restoring the public's faith in me that had been previously lost for reasons aforementioned. Here's to seeing you all again in 2016.

Question: Right call?

A former Coeur d’Alene High School booster of the year and prominent insurance agent was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison in an undercover cocaine sting. Jerry S. Carlson, cried as he addressed U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush this morning in Coeur d’Alene as about 70 supporters packed the courtroom, including Lola Hagadone. Carlson pleaded guilty in January to attempting to possess 500 or more grams of cocaine with intent to deliver. Federal sentencing guidelines called for him to serve 37 months to 46 months behind bars, but Quackenbush ruled Carlson was not a distributor and shortened his sentence by 10 months. He also ordered Carlson to partake in a prison drug program, not as a patient but as a counselor or adviser to incoming addicts. That program, coupled with expected credit for good time, could reduce Carlson’s sentence to just over a year behind bars, said his lawyer, Jim Siebe. Siebe had asked for probation, but Quackenbush made it clear at the beginning of the hearing that Carlson was prison bound. More here.

Thoughts?

For 20 years, federal agents allege, a Coeur d’Alene cocaine dealer went undetected by law enforcement, thanks in part to a tight-knit group of traffickers that included his friends and family. 

But James Roy “Slim” O’Neill’s alleged criminal enterprise imploded Tuesday when he and six other suspects were arrested after a months-long drug investigation involving a Coeur d’Alene bar now targeted in a federal forfeiture. 

O’Neill and his wife, 44-year-old Lecia D. O’Neill, were arrested Tuesday, as were Christopher B. McFarland, 48; Stephen J. McCabe, 51; and Debra L. Margraff, 48, and Gary Votava, 51, all of Coeur d’Alene. All are pictured above, left to right and top to bottom.

Read the rest of the story here.

Thoughts?

This banner was hanging in the gym at Coeur d’Alene High School on Monday. Jerry Carlson, a prominent Coeur d’Alene insurance agent and school booster has been charged with possessing 5 grams of cocaine last week is part of a larger criminal conspiracy investigation involving at least a half a kilo of the drug. In addition to a state charge of possession of a controlled substance, Jerry S. Carlson faces three federal charges related to distribution of more than 500 grams of cocaine that took place over several months. Carlson faces arraignment on the federal charges @ 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. Kathy Plonka/Spokesman-Review.