REST STOP METH CONVICTION

Branson L. Hewitt, 31, Caldwell, Idaho, was sentenced to 33 days in jail with credit for time served after he plead guilty Friday in superior court to a charge of possession of methamphetamine. He was allowed to convert 30 days of the sentence to community service.

Hewitt was arrested early last Feb. 12 along Highway 195 by Sgt. Keith Cooper who had observed a vehicle parked in the Horn rest stop south of Rosalia. Cooper's report said he ran the license plate on the vehicle and it turned out the owner had a suspended license.

Hewitt was not the registered owner of the vehicle, but he admitted he was the driver and his license had been suspended in Idaho.

He was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended license. Sgt. Cooper said he noticed Hewitt had burnt lips and fingertips, an indication that he was a drug user. A subsequent search led to the methamphetamine cited in the charge.

The investigation determined Hewitt and two passengers in the car had made a stop at the rest area to smoke meth.

Hewitt Friday was also fined $1,000 on the drug conviction and ordered to pay $800 in fees and costs.