Heroin trafficker could get more rehab, less prison

A Spokane Valley man arrested on drug charges in December on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene may spend up to a year in a prison drug rehabilitation program before being placed on probation.

Kyle P. Flood, 27, was sentenced in First District Court to a minimum of five years in prison for two counts of possessing heroin with intent to deliver, but District Judge John T. Mitchell ordered Flood to attend a prison rider program for up to a year before being returned to court. If he successfully completes the program he could be placed on probation.

Flood was arrested around midnight Dec. 16 on East Sherman Avenue while police were investigating a shooting. A Coeur d’Alene man had been shot in the hand and at least one person had already been arrested in conjunction with the shooting when officers stopped Flood, who was walking near the scene.

A witness told police a man matching Flood’s description was wanted in connection with the shooting, police said.

It was a frigid 1 degree when officers attempted to talk with Flood, who reached into his waistband and reportedly tossed something into the snow. Police recovered more than two grams of heroin in a pack of Marlboro cigarettes that Flood reportedly had attempted to discard as police approached, according to a report.

Two grams of heroin is considered a felony trafficking offense. Flood was also found guilty of burglary and sentenced to a consecutive 5-year prison sentence.

Flood was not charged in the shooting, and the victim was treated and released from the hospital after the incident, police said.

If Flood is placed on probation following successful completion of the rider but violates the terms of probation, he could be sent to prison to serve his sentence on the three felonies, which include a maximum of life in prison on the heroin charges.

Mitchell also imposed $1,306 restitution and $530 court costs as part of the sentence.