Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jan 2009
Source: Mount Shasta Herald (CA)
Copyright: 2009 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mtshastanews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3515
Author: Skye Kinkade
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MT SHASTA COUNCIL MEMBER ARRESTED ON POT CHARGES

Council Member Arraigned, Pleads Not Guilty

YREKA, Calif. - Mount Shasta City Council member Katrina Howard made
her first court appearance on Friday, where she was arraigned for
three felony charges stemming from a multi-agency undercover drug bust
operation conducted at Mount Shasta and Yreka high schools and
surrounding areas last week.

Howard was among the seven adults and six juveniles arrested in Mount
Shasta on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale and
maintaining a place where marijuana is processed and sold. James
Parker, Senior Special Agent in charge of the California Department of
Justice Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, stated that following a
search of Howard's residence, task force officers confiscated
approximately 34 pounds of processed marijuana and two firearms, as
well as her personal computer which he said contained photographs of
Howard engaging in the use of illegal drugs in the company of what
appear to be juveniles.

Although it was preliminarily determined that Howard did not qualify
for court appointed counsel due to her income, attorney John Lawrence
stood in to assist her during the arraignment.

Howard pled not guilty to three counts: sales of marijuana,
maintenance of a residence for the storage and/or sale of a controlled
substance, and conspiracy to commit a crime. She requested to be
released from the Siskiyou County Jail in Yreka on her own
recognizance. The public defender stated that Howard would be
agreeable to search and drug testing terms as well as house arrest
with an ankle locator device. He assured Judge Laura Masunaga that
Howard would make all future court appearances and meetings with
counsel. Lawrence said Howard has lived in Mount Shasta for the past
four years and has no prior criminal offenses or Failures to Appear.
Assistant District Attorney Christine Winte argued that according to
the felony complaint, the undercover officer was successful in taping
a conversation in which Howard was heard stating that she could "hook
him up" for a sale of two pounds of marijuana. It was also alleged
that Howard was involved in the "trimming and transport" of marijuana
from Garberville, Calif., where she previously owned property.
"[Howard] had a responsibility to her community, and she took an oath
to that effect," Winte said.

Judge Masunaga denied Howard's request, and ordered that her bail
remain at $200,000. She also granted the Assistant DA's request that
any money proffered for bail be examined as to its source before it is
accepted by the court.

Also arraigned on Friday were Jules Unger, age 20, Aaron Russo, age
20, Johnson Sivongsa, age 20, Lisa Henson, age 44, Guy Morris, age 39,
and Robin Clayton, age 43.

Unger, Howard's co-defendant, as well as Russo, were identified by
Winte as key players who worked closely with Howard in a Mount Shasta
drug operation. While the four other adults were released on their own
recognizance, Unger and Russo were not. Masunaga ordered they remain
in custody with bail remaining at $15,000 each. Although Howard
remained in control throughout the lengthy arraignment, she did begin
to cry near the end of the preceedings. Russo was unable to contain
his emotions following the denial of his request and was removed from
the courtroom. Before the sheriff led him out, he turned to his family
and choked out the words "I love you." Mount Shasta Chief of Police
Parish Cross said the Mount Shasta operation began in October, when an
undercover Siskiyou County Sheriff's Deputy was enrolled as a student
at MSHS. During the time he was there, his objective was to
investigate drug use within the school, and ultimately make contact
with adults who were supplying students with illegal substances.

Chief Cross said, "The operation was in part a response to many
concerned parents, students, and school administration wanting a
larger emphasis placed on the schools' potential drug activities...
this has been a goal of the MSPD for the last few years, but due to
the lack of resources and a qualified undercover officer the goal took
longer to accomplish."

The investigation, organized by the Siskiyou County Narcotics Task
Force and overseen by the California Department of Justice Bureau of
Narcotics Enforcement, culminated on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Approximately
50 officers from law enforcement agencies throughout the area were
involved in the arrests and searches in Mount Shasta. Officials said
the same undercover operation, using the same undercover officer, was
conducted at Yreka High School between August and October of 2008,
leading to the arrest of 8 adults and 11 juveniles at that location.
Arrests and searches on Jan. 14 were conducted simultaneously in Mount
Shasta and Yreka.

"The men and women of the Siskiyou County Narcotics Task Force did an
exemplary job in handling this operation,"  Chief Cross said.
"Everything was handled ethically and with professionalism... [Howard]
was treated like any other individual in the same situation," Chief
Cross said. "I'm proud of all the agencies involved. We've sent a
strong message that drug use and sales is not acceptable in Mount Shasta."

Howard's preliminary hearing is set for Tues. Jan. 27, at 9 a.m. As of
yesterday, Howard and Unger remained in custody.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin