Suspects in drug bust face stiff penalties

SANDPOINT — Arraignments are pending for two Bonner County men accused of selling drugs from their apartment.

Avery Forest Auletta and Charles John Kingsland are charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, trafficking by possession of marijuana and possession of methadone.

Auletta, 22, and Kingsland, 24, waived their right to preliminary hearings last month and were bound over to stand trial in 1st District Court. Auletta's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 25. Kingsland is expected to enter a written not guilty plea, according to court documents.

If convicted on the cocaine charge, the duo could be sentenced to life in prison. The marijuana charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and the methadone charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

The two were arrested after Sandpoint Police narcotics agents raided their South Lincoln Avenue apartment on Dec. 13, 2007, and discovered an undisclosed amount of coke, 4 pounds of pot and 20 methadone tablets.

Agents also found more than $13,000 in cash, which is currently the subject of civil seizure proceedings.

According to radio news reports, pot smoke emanating from the apartment kept setting off smoke alarms in the building, which was also occupied by a city police officer.