Deputies Recover Firearm, Drugs, and Arrest 6-Time Convicted Felon During a Traffic Stop
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies conducted a traffic stop and located drugs, paraphernalia, ammunition, and a pistol with a loaded magazine in the car. The driver and registered owner of the vehicle was found to be a 6-time convicted felon and prohibited from legally possessing a firearm. During the investigation, she admitted to selling drugs and possessing the handgun for protection. She was booked into jail on felony charges.
On August 13, 2024, at approximately 1:25 am, Deputies observed a Toyota traveling east on Whistalks Way and checked the license plate on their mobile computer. They found that the registered owner did not have a valid driver’s license, and they also noticed the vehicle did not have a front license plate as required by RCW.
Near Whistalks Way and Elliott Drive, the Deputies conducted a traffic stop for the violations and contacted the two adult female occupants of the vehicle. They explained the reason for the stop and asked for the required identification, registration, and proof of insurance.
As the driver/passenger searched through the glovebox, a glass pipe with a white residue and a chunk of a clear crystalline substance in the pipe bulb fell out. The Deputies immediately recognized the pipe as paraphernalia commonly used to ingest illegal drugs and that the crystalline substance inside appeared to be methamphetamine. The passenger agreed to hand the pipe to the Deputies, and she and the driver, identified as 39-year-old Sommer A. Smith, were detained.
Deputies observed a holster and a box of ammunition in the driver’s area of the vehicle. When this was brought to Smith’s attention, she spontaneously announced that she had a concealed firearm under the passenger’s seat. She apologized for not telling the Deputies earlier. She also claimed ownership of the pipe and the useable amount of methamphetamine observed inside.
A records check of Smith confirmed she is a 6-time convicted felon, prohibited from legally possessing a firearm. With this information, Deputies requested and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle.
As the investigation continued, the passenger was not found to have committed a crime, and she was released.
With a valid search warrant, Deputies located and seized a Kimber 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine, ammunition, pipes, a scale, empty plastic baggies, baggies containing a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine, and a baggie containing a generic Xanax pill.
After being advised of her rights, Smith told Deputies she sells small amounts of drugs to her friends and keeps the pistol with her for safety.
Smith was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.
On August 14, 2024, at Smith’s first appearance hearing, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz set her total case bond at $2,500. At the time of this release, she is still in custody.
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NOTE: The Spokane County Jail Roster is open to the public, and names/status can be checked at this link: https://www.spokanecounty.org/352/Inmate-Roster
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Deputies Recover Firearm, Drugs, and Arrest 6-Time Convicted Felon During a Traffic Stop" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7