Lofty charges sharply reduced

SANDPOINT — A trio of high-aiming grand jury indictments have been resolved with pleas to significantly reduced charges.

Daniel Jon Maddux was indicted on two felony counts of delivery of marijuana in connection with an undercover drug investigation at the Long Bridge Grill early last year. Maddux owns the establishment.

Maddux, a 55-year-old from Sagle, is pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of aiding and abetting possession of a controlled substance, according to a pretrial settlement agreement in his case.

Maddux’s attorney, Fred Palmer, said the two-count indictment stemmed from marijuana-laced brownies that an undercover detective obtained at the bar in January 2010.

“In neither instance did it involve Maddux,” Palmer added.

The indictments also targeted current and former employees of Maddux.

Elizabeth Ann Goldberg, 44, of Sandpoint, faced charges identical to those filed in Maddux’s case, but hers were reduced to misdemeanor possession of pot and drug paraphernalia, court records indicate.

Karen Leann Medland, 50, of Coeur d’Alene, was indicted on a felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance, but settled the matter by pleading guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia.

Palmer, who also represents Medland, said the charge resulted from her giving the detective an amphetamine tablet at the officer’s request.

Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank is recommending suspended jail terms and probation, according to the settlement agreements. The suspects’ defense counsels can recommend lesser sentences.

In announcing the arrests last fall, Bonner County Sheriff’s officials alleged that the Long Bridge Grill has a long history of serving as a venue for drug activity and intended to seize the business under state forfeiture laws.

No record of forfeiture proceedings against the Long Bridge could be found in the Idaho Statewide Trial Court Record System in Bonner County or the Idaho State Judiciary’s data repository, however.