Kids found in suspected drug house

Three children were pulled from a house near Rogers High School on Thursday during a drug raid in which Spokane County Sheriff’s detectives seized a quarter pound of methamphetamine.

Detectives assigned to the Investigative Support Unit raided the home at 1723 E. Wellesley at 6:30 a.m. after undercover investigators made three purchases of meth from the home, sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

The conditions inside the home were deplorable, Reagan said.

Inside the residence, detectives discovered Dennis J. Brough, 23, who police say is a confirmed gang member, and his 25-year-old girl-friend, Tysha L. Michell. They had a 5-year-old boy and his 2-year-old sister in the home, Reagan said.

Sleeping in a truck in the yard were Richard M. Brough, 34, and his 31-year-old girlfriend, Christy J. Oppelt. The couple’s 2-year-old son was staying inside the home with the other couple, Reagan said.

Child Protective Services had been conducting its own investigation into the welfare of the children and the agency participated in the raid. CPS caseworkers later took all three children into protective custody, Reagan said.

The house is adjacent to the Rogers High School parking lot. Assistant Principal Jim Fry said school officials had not heard any complaints about the house during the first three days of school.

“We, of course, never want to have these situations go on. But I think they handled it in a way that preserved our learning environment,” Fry said of the detectives. “It’s always a concern to have these kinds of situations arise around school.

“But we understand these things are part of society and we need to use these as a tool to educate our students as well. It’s a teachable moment.”

Several students asked questions Thursday after hearing word of the raid, Fry said.

“I talked to three kids who live right across the street from that house,” Fry said. “One girl said, ‘I didn’t know that was going on and I live right across the street.’ “

Richard and Dennis Brough were charged with delivery of meth and possession of meth. Richard Brough is currently on supervision from the Department of Corrections and was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a DOC hold as well, Reagan said.

Christy Oppelt has a no-contact order prohibiting her from being near Richard Brough, so she was charged with violating that order. She also faces a charge of conspiracy to deliver meth, Reagan said.

Because the house within 1,000 feet of the school, the suspects fall within the rule that adds a two-year sentence enhancement if they are convicted, Reagan said.