Couple sentenced on drug charges

COEUR d'ALENE - A Rathdrum couple who reportedly used their minor children to purchase ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine was sentenced up to eight years in prison on drug charges.

Gregory R. Klundt, 42, and Marjory A. Barnes, 46, received eight- and seven-year sentences, respectively, on May 26 for trafficking methamphetamine, manufacturing a controlled substance where a child is present, possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, according to the Kootenai County Prosecutor's office.

First District Judge Fred Gibler ordered that the first five years of each sentence fixed, with the remaining years indeterminate.

The engaged couple was living together when Idaho State Police and Rathdrum police officers executed a search warrant at the residence after Klundt's child reported suspected drug activity there. Investigation revealed that Klundt and Barnes used their children to buy precursors to make the drugs, according to the prosecutor's office.