In brief: Wiretapping an issue in oxycodone drug ring case
The technology used to tap the phones of 62 defendants in an alleged West Coast drug ring that peddled $20 million worth of oxycodone was the subject of a federal court hearing in Spokane on Tuesday.
Federal authorities announced raids in February that ended in the arrest of what investigators said were dozens of members of a sophisticated drug delivery ring.
Shindona Jones, a Los Angeles woman currently in Kittitas County Jail, requested the government turn over the details of its wiretaps in the case to ensure her rights were not violated. Investigators bugged the cellphones of the defendants, producing hours of recorded phone calls that prosecutors plan to admit as evidence. In retort, the government said keeping such information confidential serves a public safety interest.
A federal judge ruled last month that the details of wiretapping technology used by investigators should be made available to defense attorneys.
Kip Hill
Woman jailed after rock thrown
A woman accused of heaving a cantaloupe-size rock through a neighbor’s window was arrested early Monday on assault charges.
A Spokane County sheriff’s deputy responded to an assault call at the 1200 block of North Felts Road at about 9 a.m. Monday. A woman called to report someone had thrown a large rock through the bedroom window, striking her husband in the head. The victim was bleeding from his forehead.
The woman, her husband and their 3-year-old son were all visiting from Florida and were lying on the bed in the guest bedroom.
The rock, which weighed 6.66 pounds, had a piece of fabric stuck to it. The deputy looked at the neighbor’s house and saw a similar type of fabric nearby. The deputy contacted the homeowner inside, Sarah Bear, who accused the victim’s friends of spying on her.
Bear was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree assault, a felony, and third-degree malicious mischief, a gross misdemeanor.
Kaitlin Gillespie
Inmate found hanging in jail
Authorities conducting a routine housing check at the Spokane County Jail on Tuesday found a woman hanging unconscious in the shower, according to a news release.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said the female inmate, who has not been identified, was discovered shortly after noon. Corrections officers performed CPR until an ambulance and firefighters could arrive. The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Major Crimes detectives with the Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident. The woman was alone when the incident occurred, according to the release.
Kip Hill