Woman accused of helping grandson sell cocaine

A Spokane grandmother appeared in Spokane County Superior Court Thursday after she was arrested earlier this week for driving a 14-year-old boy around town so he could sell crack cocaine.

Tyna A. Hilliard, 53, appeared in court Thursday on the felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance. Arraignment was set for Jan. 3, and Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen released Hilliard on her own recognizance.

According to court records, a law enforcement officer arranged for a confidential informant to buy crack cocaine from a minor. The purchase took place Tuesday, and the substance tested positive for crack cocaine.

After arresting the teenager, the officer found two baggies of a substance in the boy’s pocket that also tested positive for crack, according to a police report.

“The driver of the vehicle used to deliver (crack) was identified as Tyna A. Hilliard,” the officer wrote.

After she was arrested, Hilliard waived her right to remain silent and spoke with the officer.

“She admitted she was driving (the youth) so he could sell crack cocaine. Tyna advised she had complete knowledge of (the youth) selling crack cocaine,” the unidentified officer wrote in his report.

The boy also told the confidential informant, according to the report, that he pays Hilliard to drive him around because he did not have a license to drive.