Briefs: November 28, 2019

HALF-POUND DRUG CASE NETS YEAR IN COUNTY JAIL

Francisco Torres, Jr., 23, former WSU student who was arrested last April following a Quad Cities Drug Task Force investigation in Pullman, was sentenced to 364 days in jail Friday on drug possession charges. The investigation report by Sheriff’s Detective Bryson Aase said a half pound of cocaine was found in a wall safe at the Pullman residence on NE Monroe Street where Torres was residing.

A warrant search was made of the residence after three drug purchases from Torres were conducted by a confidential informant who was provided with money by the task force and instructed to only deal with Torres at the residence.

Torres was initially charged with three counts of delivery of cocaine related to the sales to the informant and one count of possession.

The delivery counts were reduced to possession as part of a plea bargain agreement which dropped the conviction down to a standard range where Torres could serve a local sentence and not go to a state institution.

Torres will be allowed work release while serving the sentence. He told the court he intends to attend a trade school after he completes the sentence.

He was also ordered to serve 12 months of community custody after he completes the jail term, undergo drug evaluation and follow any recommended treatment.

Aase’s investigation report noted the half pound of cocaine was found in a safe which was located in another person’s room at the Monroe Street residence. The report said Torres was found to be in possession of keys to the safe.

SERENITY HOUSE CHANGE

The board of Friends of Hospice Friday issued a report that they will discontinue operating Serenity House located on SE Sandalwood in Pullman. The concept for the house was to develop a home for the dying. It was introduced to Whitman and Latah counties in March of 2017, and a house was purchased and remodeled in Pullman.

The report from the hospice board said after 10 months of serving the dying and their families they are actively pursing another organization for continuing the mission.

End-of-life care has changed in the area and other facilities and hospitals are meeting the needs of residents, and the anticipated need for Serenity House dropped.

The organization had also encountered difficulties in hiring and keeping caregivers to work at Serenity House.

Friends of Hospice will continue with community programs which it has developed here for more than 25 years. They include Trees of Light, Living Legacy, Massage Therapy, Threshold Choir of the Palouse and Merry Minstrels.

The 2019 Trees of Light and Remembrance Ceremony will be Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. at Bishop Place in Pullman and Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Whitman County Library.

ALLEGE THEFTS FROM GOODWILL

Theft of items from Goodwill in Pullman was one of three charges filed against Gary Dehamer, 47, Cheney, Tuesday, Nov. 19. The arrest report by Deputy Tyler Langerfeld alleged the items were found in the back of the cab of a pickup truck Dehamer was driving when he was stopped Nov. 15 while driving on N. Grand.

The deputy’s report said he initially stopped Dehamer after he noticed an oncoming pickup truck lacked a front license plate.

He said he stopped the pickup and the driver, Dehamer, was unable to provide registration and a driver’s license. A records check subsequently led to the discovery that Dehamer was driving with a suspended license. The deputy noticed items in back of the cab, and Dehamer admitted he had taken them from Goodwill. A blanket, shelves, CD binder with CDs and a vacuum were among items in the truck.

The report alleged a small baggie of methamphetamine was found rolled up in the cigarette lighter and a drug pipe was found on the floorboard of the truck.

Deputies learned the Cheney suspect was also under probation supervision following a conviction in Spokane County.