E-Mail
Print
tool name
closeSeveral people arrested for alleged involvement in a local drug-dealing ring in September 2007 have pleaded guilty, while others are still awaiting trial.
Police arrested Bodie Lowell Gwinner and his brother, Robert Matthew Gwinner, on suspicion of dealing drugs out of their homes on Dakin Street in Bellingham and on Mount Baker Highway in Whatcom County.
Ten other people were arrested on drug charges in the bust, which was the culmination of a year-long investigation by the Northwest Regional Drug Taskforce.
Seven have pleaded guilty and three others are going to trial in the next month.
Bodie Gwinner, 46, pleaded guilty in May to two counts of delivery of cocaine and two counts of methamphetamine possession.
He was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday, Aug. 7, but that has been postponed until Sept. 4. The extra time is needed to settle confusion over who owns Gwinner's home, which is part of the case, according to Whatcom County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Craig Chambers.
"It's taking us a little more time than anticipated in getting the details worked out," Chambers said.
Robert Gwinner, 42, pleaded guilty in February to five counts of delivery of heroin, cocaine and Oxycodone.
He was sentenced in March to a year and a half in prison.
Chambers said he expects to seek a similar prison sentence for Bodie Gwinner.
Undercover officers wearing microphones bought drugs from the pair and recorded the transactions, according to charging documents filed in Whatcom County Superior Court.
James W. Powell, owner of Jim’s Marine Repair on Mount Baker Highway just outside the city limits, was arrested and has been charged with one count of methamphetamine possession with intent to deliver. Since the alleged crime took place within 1,000 feet of Squalicum High School, it could mean a longer prison sentence if he is convicted.
He pleaded not guilty and will have a jury trial scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 11.
Tracy P. Low, 36, and Kristi L. Kleinhampl, 31, were arrested for allegedly helping exhange $220 for an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine.
The pair pleaded not guilty and have a jury trial scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
Reach Peter Jensen at 715-2264 or at peter.jensen@bellinghamherald.com.
-
Caregivers
The Courtyard -
Accounts Receivable - Contracts Manager
Sicklesteel Cranes, Inc. -
Finance Director
WTA -
Research & Development Engineer
Samson Rope -
Contracts Assistant, Financial Services
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
@Nyx.CommentBody@