Trio sentenced on federal drug crimes

A local man is among a trio of men sentenced on separate cases for federal drug crimes involving methamphetamine and clonazepam, Bonner County Sheriff's Office officials said.

David Christopher Churchill, 50, of Sandpoint; Jonathan Robert Chrysler, 26, of Post Falls; and Jack Joseph Magness, 35, of Spokane, were recently sentenced in separate cases, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit said.

U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford sentenced Churchill on Oct. 24 to 37 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. After his prison term, Churchill will be placed on supervised release for three years.

Court records show that Churchill was distributing methamphetamine in the Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint areas. After learning of Churchill's activities, police began to investigate. 

On April 13, 2022, Churchill sold 4 ounces of methamphetamine to another individual. After completing the drug deal, Churchill was arrested.

In a separate case, Brailsford sentenced Magness on Oct. 24 to 60 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. After serving his prison sentence, Magness will be placed on supervised release for three years.

Magness was arrested by Idaho State Police in Shoshone County on July 16, 2021, according to court records.

During his arrest, Magness hid a small quantity of methamphetamine in his body and smuggled it into the jail. Once in the jail, Magness recovered the methamphetamine and began using it. One of the man's cell mates also accessed the smuggled methamphetamine and ultimately overdosed and died after consuming a portion of it.

When officers investigated the death, they located 6 grams of methamphetamine on Magness' bunk, within the cell. At his change of plea hearing, Magness ultimately admitted to smuggling the methamphetamine in and sharing it with others in the cell.

In a third case, on Oct. 23, Judge Brailsford sentenced Chrysler to 46 months in federal prison for distribution of a controlled substance to a person under 21. After completing his prison sentences, Chrysler will be placed on supervised release for six years.

According to court records, in May 2022, Chrysler met with a 14-year-old minor near Memorial Field in downtown Coeur d'Alene. During the meeting, Chrysler sold the minor multiple clonazepam pills, a Schedule IV controlled substance. 

The minor was ultimately rushed to the hospital and received medical care after consuming the pills mixed with alcohol.

"These cases vividly show how illegal drugs threaten lives in North Idaho," Hurwit said. "We are fortunate to work closely with law enforcement at all levels to address this danger, and we will continue to prioritize anti-drug enforcement in North Idaho and throughout Idaho."

Hurwit said the cases were successfully prosecuted due to the collaborative efforts of multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies including the Bonner and Shoshone county sheriff's offices, the Coeur d'Alene Police Department, and the North Idaho Narcotics Enforcement Task Force which is comprised of the Idaho State Police, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.