‘Cowboy’ trial set after Palouse alley arrest

A Dec. 13 trial was scheduled for Gregory C. Early, 51, Deer Park, who pleaded not guilty Friday morning in superior court to charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of hydromorphone with intent to deliver and felony harassment. Early remains in jail in lieu of posting $100,000 bond after he was arrested Oct. 25 at Palouse.

Early was arrested in a car in an alley at Palouse where he was reportedly sleeping. A 30-year-old girlfriend was also reported to be in the car, according to the probable cause report filed by the Quad Cities Drug Task Force.

The report notes Early, who was identified as “Cowboy” by informants in the detective’s report, had been a suspect in methanphetamine sales in the county for about 30 days. He reportedly sold meth in exchange for cash, gift cards and vehicles. The arrest report alleges a “cooperating source” tipped off officers that Early would be in Palouse Oct. 25 to make a drug sale.

The report lists accounts from suspects in other drug cases who allege Early had made drug sales here and from his residence in the Deer Park area. Residents in the Pullman, Palouse and Colfax area are all quoted in the arrest report.

They reported Early normally carried methamphetamine in a black lock box. He also allegedly carried another lockbox for the cash and other items he received for drug sales.

The reports alleged Early carried a .45 handgun and the felony harassment charge alleged he threatened to kill another man.

A report by Undersheriff Ronald Rockness after Early was arrested alleges the warrant search of the vehicle where Early was found sleeping turned up 10 grams of methamphetamines and 200 prescription narcotic pills. Detectives later recovered two handguns and wheels, tires and a guitar in a warrant search at Deer Park. The tires and guitar were allegedly taken from a disabled vehicle which was left on the O’Donnell Road area northeast of Pullman.

Members of the task force are working with an agent of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau, and Early could also face charges involving drug trafficking and firearms, according to the undersheriff’s report.