The daughter of a Spokane woman accused of helping her 14-year-old grandson sell crack cocaine is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence for the same drug.

Nicole D. Hilliard is "doing well" in treatment for drug treatment and is expected to participate until the middle of February, according to court documents prepared by her lawyer.

Hilliard's son and mother, Tyna A. Hilliard, were arrested last week after a confidential informant bought crack cocaine from the boy, who police say was driven to the scene by Tyna Hilliard.

"Tyna advised that she had complete knowledge of (the boy) selling the crack cocaine," according to a probable cause affidavit prepared by Spokane police. The informant said the boy had said "that he pays his grandmother to drive him around since he was only 14 and did not have a license."

Tyna Hilliard, 53, was released from jail on her own recognizance last week and is to be arraigned Jan. 3.

Her daughter pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to deliver 50 grams or more of cocaine in October after being indicted last summer.  She's to be sentenced early next year in U.S. District Court in Spokane. The charge carries a minimum of 10 years in prison and a four years probation, or at least 20 years in prison if she has a previous felony drug conviction, which she does not appear to have in Spokane County.

Nicole Hilliard does have previous felony convictions locally for first-degree robbery and attempted first-degree robbery in connection with the shooting death of a man during a dice game in 2002.
 

---

---