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Trial for Washington man meth trafficking charge

by ANNISA KEITH
Staff Writer | October 1, 2021 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — A Washington man is being held at the Bonner County Jail on a charge of trafficking methamphetamine.

Micah Ugartechea, 49, entered a not guilty plea in front of First District Judge Lamont Berecz on Thursday, and is being held on $25,000 bond. Ugartechea is facing a felony charge of drug trafficking and persistent violation, and a misdemeanor charge for possessing paraphernalia.

On Aug. 23, a white van was stopped by Bonner County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Cimbalik after leaving the Oldtown Super 1 for driving without headlights or tail lights. According to court documents, Ugartechea was the passenger, but told deputies that the van belonged to him.

While a citation for failure to provide insurance was being written, Cimbalik deployed K9 Deputy “Nova” to patrol for illegal substances. Upon alerting deputies to the scent of narcotics, Ugartechea and the driver were removed from the van and patted down.

Discovered was 1.56 ounces of methamphetamine, many plastic baggies, three glass pipes, and a scale. A methamphetamine trafficking charge is issued when over an ounce of the drug is found.

He was arrested on Aug. 23, his birthday, and booked into the Bonner County Jail.

Ugartechea has two previous convictions out of Washington from cases in March 2002 and July 2011, for possessing fentanyl without a prescription as well as driving violations in Idaho.

Ugartechea could face a penalty of life in prison and up to a $100,000 fine if convicted. A jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 20..