Suspect seeks to withdraw plea
SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man who is awaiting sentencing in a methamphetamine trafficking case is considering whether to withdraw his plea.
Brandon Neil Crump was to be sentenced on Monday, but 1st District Judge Steve Verby reluctantly postponed the proceeding so the defendant can review his options.
Private counsel for Crump moved earlier this month to withdraw his guilty plea after it was discovered that his former court-appointed attorney didn’t fully investigate the state’s basis for a search warrant that led to his arrest.
“It’s very difficult to advise a client without that information,” said Crump’s new attorney, Doug Phelps.
Phelps also contends Crump’s former attorney didn’t fully discuss the possible suppression of incriminating statements he may have been coerced into making. In an affidavit, Crump said he made incriminating statements because sheriff’s deputies threatened to have his children taken from him if he didn’t cooperate.
Crump, 33, and his 32-year-old wife, Shauna, were arrested after deputies raided their home at 352 Bandy Road last August. Neighbor Leuis Mark Blood, 44, was also arrested.
The trio was charged with trafficking meth and felony child endangerment because the rudimentary labs used to cook the stimulant were located in places accessible by children.
Shauna Lynn Crump pleaded to a reduced charge of possession and was given a suspended prison term. Brandon Crump and Blood pleaded guilty to slightly amended charges of trafficking via attempted manufacture and is serving a two- to four-year prison term.
The child endangerment charges were dismissed against all three defendants as part of plea agreements with the state.
If Brandon Crump is allowed to withdraw his plea, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank is expected to reinstate the more serious meth charge. However, the child endangerment charge cannot be revived because it’s already been dismissed.
A plea withdrawal could prejudice the state because one of the criminal charges has been dismissed. If the plea is withdrawn, the defense would have to overcome the prejudice to the state, Verby said during the hearing.
Another hearing in the case is set for March 8 in 1st District Court.