Prison ordered in meth case

SANDPOINT — A Vay man who pleaded guilty to attempting to manufacture methamphetamine was ordered Thursday to serve up to four years in prison.

Wilfred Joseph DeChenne will have to serve at least two years of the term before he can be considered for release onto parole, according to the terms of the sentence imposed by 1st District Judge Steve Verby.

DeChenne, 38, apologized to his family and the court for his misconduct before the sentence was announced, according to court documents.

DeChenne was charged with trafficking and possession of the addictive stimulant after the Bonner County sheriff’s Criminal Interdiction Team raided his home at 32 Heather John Road last June and discovered a meth lab

DeChenne attracted the suspicion of drug agents due to numerous purchases of cold medications which contain a crucial ingredient needed to create the drug, court documents indicate. Pharmacies in Idaho are required to keep track of who buys the medication and in what quantities.

As originally charged, DeChenne faced a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison on the trafficking charge. He entered into a plea agreement that slightly amended the trafficking charge to attempted manufacturing and the possession charge was dismissed, according to the agreement.

The amended trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum of two years in prison.

DeChenne’s friends wrote letters to the court attesting to his character and work ethic. In his own letter to the court, DeChenne likened the force of his addition to that of a locomotive.

Bryce Powell, DeChenne’s defense attorney, said his client’s case underscored the need for mandatory minimum sentence reform. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank recommended a two- to six-year sentence.

Verby expressed no doubt that DeChenne was a good person, but said the sentencing guidelines are clear and courts cannot stray from them.