Montana man faces heroin, meth charges

COEUR d’ALENE — A Kalispell, Mont., man who carried a stolen firearm when he was arrested Monday in Coeur d’Alene has been charged with trafficking heroin and methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory 15-year prison sentence.

Bail for Andrew R. Wheeler, 24, was set at $250,000, significantly higher than the $150,000 that prosecutors recommended after First District Magistrate James D. Stow reviewed the evidence and Wheeler’s criminal history.

Stow noted that Wheeler carried almost an ounce of heroin and more than a half pound of methamphetamine when he was arrested early Wednesday by Idaho State Police on Interstate 90 east of Wolf Lodge Bay.

Troopers were notified after midnight by other motorists, who reported a silver Volkswagen stopped in the middle of the right lane on I-90 east of Coeur d’Alene.

A motorist who woke up the sedan’s driver said the driver appeared intoxicated before speeding away. Other motorists reported the same car veering between westbound lanes, “all over the road,” before troopers Brittany Clark and Troy Tulleners stopped the sedan.

Wheeler was initially arrested for DUI for failing field sobriety tests, but his BAC — he blew .00 — did not match his impairment level, troopers said.

While inventorying the vehicle, troopers found almost 3/4 pound of methamphetamine, an ounce of heroin, paraphernalia including pipes, baggies and scales, commercial THC, and a double barrel Bond Arms derringer capable of shooting .45 caliber rounds and .410 shells. The handgun was reported stolen from a residence in Boville earlier this month, according to a report.

In addition to the felony drug charges, troopers charged Wheeler with felony possession of a stolen firearm and four drug-related misdemeanors.

Stow set a March 7 preliminary hearing for Wheeler, who is in the Kootenai County jail.