Man sentenced in heroin case

COEUR d’ALENE — A Montana man with eight previous felonies, who was convicted of transporting more than a half pound of methamphetamine and heroin through North Idaho last year, will serve 30 months in prison.

Daniel E. Palmer, who pleaded guilty to attempting to deliver a controlled substance as part of a plea bargain, was sentenced in First District Court to 2 ½ years in prison plus an additional 4 ½ years indeterminate.

He told the court he was unaware the drugs were in the car.

Since his arrest 15 months ago, Palmer was released from jail on his own recognizance and re-arrested three times after failing to appear for his Coeur d’Alene court hearings.

Palmer, 42, and another man, Luke A. Springer, 38, were in a 1989 Prelude that was stopped by Idaho State Police, April 14, 2017 near the 15th Street exit in Coeur d’Alene.

Police attributed Palmer’s erratic driving to his having just shot up with heroin.

The men had no proof of ownership for the Honda, no car insurance and Palmer didn’t have a valid driver’s license. Syringes littered the floor along with a small baggie of black tar heroin, according to police.

Police found separate packages of methamphetamine and about 50 grams of heroin also in separate packages in the car. Most of the drugs were in double-sealed bags lathered in gear grease to prevent K9 units from sniffing the drugs.

Palmer was initially charged with two felonies including trafficking, and manufacturing or delivery of meth, which can carry a minimum five years in prison.

Prosecutors asked for a 10-year fixed sentence, while defense attorneys wanted rehabilitation for Palmer. District Judge Rich Christensen questioned Palmer’s sincerity.

“The court believes it is best to incarcerate you,” Christensen said.

Springer was charged with trafficking heroin and meth. He has failed to appear in First District Court and is wanted on a warrant.