Drug dealer’s assets help task force

The Spokane Regional Drug Task Force was presented Wednesday with a $235,000 check, representing the proceeds from the sale of property once owned by convicted drug dealer Corey S. Leavell.

The money will be used to fund ongoing operations and equipment for the task force, coordinated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, officials said.

The check was presented to task force supervisor Selby Smith by Sherree Preston, special agent in charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division.

IRS criminal investigators assigned to the Spokane drug task force were involved in the investigation that led to the arrest of Leavell and two other men in early 2004.

Convicted drug dealers face the forfeiture of any property used to commit illegal drug sales or any property purchased with proceeds from such activity.

“The asset-forfeiture program is one of the government’s most effective tools against drug trafficking and money laundering,” Preston said at the check presentation at the U.S. Courthouse.

Leavell, who was co-owner of a downtown Spokane nightclub, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison in October 2004 for his role in smuggling $6 million worth of marijuana into the United States from Canada.

Leavell used some of his drug profits to buy a 51 percent ownership in the Pub Club, located at 415 W. Sprague. He also built a $300,000 ranch house in Spangle, bought a duplex in north Spokane, a condominium in Mexico and a new house on Spokane’s South Hill. The only ones forfeited were those that Leavell owned without a third-party interest.

The $235,000 represented the net proceeds from the sale of Leavell’s home at 16303 S. Yancey Lane in Spangle and a second home at 5420 S. Glendora Drive, officials said.

Detectives seek help in finding sex offender

Spokane County sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding a sex offender believed to be living in the Spokane area.

David M. Kreienbrink, 24, is wanted on a warrant issued in Pierce County for failing to register as a sex offender, said sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan in a press release.

On Wednesday, a woman came to the Public Safety Building and asked for a background check on her boyfriend, who apparently was Kreienbrink, Reagan said. She fled the building after being told he is a Level 3 sex offender, the category considered most likely to commit more sex crimes.

Kreienbrink was convicted of second-degree child rape in 1998 in Pierce County, Reagan said. His victim was a 12-year-old girl.

Kreienbrink is 6 feet 1 inch and 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Authorities ask that anyone with information on Kreienbrink’s whereabouts to call (509) 242-8477 or 911.

Reward offered for help with check fraud suspect

A reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of a woman accused of operating a check fraud and forgery ring.

Cybil M. Imholt, 31, faces a charge of leading organized crime and 20 counts of forgery and identity theft.

Investigators say Imholt told them that 60 or more people brought her stolen account numbers and checks. She altered the checks and passed them to four or five people to cash, Sgt. Steve Barbieri told The Spokesman-Review for an earlier story. Imholt pocketed half the stolen money and goods collected in the scam, Barbieri said.

Imholt recently lived at 1312 W. Augusta Ave. in Spokane, Reagan said. She is 5 feet 6 inches and 150 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.

Authorities ask that anyone with information about her whereabouts call Secret Witness at 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their names to be eligible for the cash.

Families welcome at Christmas tree lighting

Families can kick off what looks to become a white Christmas in Spokane Valley at the community’s Christmas tree lighting tonight.

The third annual Festival of Lights will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the University City Mall parking lot.

“We hope to see it continue to grow,” said Councilman Mike DeVleming, who started the event when he was the city’s first mayor.

Last year between 600 and 700 people came to see the 30-foot tree lit up for the holiday season. The festival also includes musical performances and an appearance by Santa Claus.

Parking is available near the old JC Penney and at the Rosauers shopping center at Sprague Avenue and University Road.

Agency told it can’t limit water for livestock

Olympia

The state Department of Ecology may not limit the amount of water that ranchers draw daily for their livestock, according to an opinion by the state attorney general’s office.

Stock water has been a nearly perennial issue in the Legislature between environmentalists who want limits and ranchers and dairies who do not.

Under laws dating back 60 years, four kinds of groundwater withdrawals are exempt from a permit requirement – livestock watering, small industrial uses, homes or small groups of homes and noncommercial watering of a lawn or garden a half-acre or less in size.

The state agency interpreted that law by limiting livestock watering to 5,000 gallons per day, but on Nov. 18, Attorney General Rob McKenna’s office issued an opinion that the agency lacked authority to set a specific limit.