Kellogg man found guilty of drug charges

WALLACE — A two-day trial returned four guilty verdicts for a Kellogg man facing drug charges.  

Kenton Isom, 39, was convicted of three felonies Feb. 12. They included possession of fentanyl in various forms, possession of methamphetamine, attempted destruction or concealment of the controlled substances and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.  

The charges stemmed from an arrest in January 2024, when, following a simple traffic stop, deputies were alerted to the presence of drugs by Shoshone K-9 Deputy Midnight inside a vehicle driven by Holly Burdett. Isom was a passenger.

According to Shoshone County Deputy Prosecutor Britney Jacobs, during the search, Isom and Burdett were removed from the vehicle and fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills, and methamphetamine were located adjacent to where Isom was sitting, tucked between his seat and the center console. Isom also possessed other drug paraphernalia, including pieces of aluminum foil concealed in his wallet, Jacobs said.  

According to Jacobs, the foil is often used to assist in the ingestion of controlled substances.

Throughout the trial, both Isom and Burdett testified that the drugs did not belong to Isom but belonged to her. This testimony conflicted with the statements given by the pair to law enforcement, the prosecutor said.

“This change in story was not surprising to the state, given that Burdett’s statements could not be used against her and thus, she could freely fall on the sword for her boyfriend during his trial,” Jacobs said. “By highlighting the inconsistencies in Burdett and Isom’s testimony during trial, the jury was not convinced by their plot.”

Under Idaho code, a person cannot incriminate themselves if a judge orders them to testify in a different case.  

The jury returned their guilty verdicts two hours after closing arguments.  

Isom’s sentencing is scheduled for April 14. He faces up to seven years for the possession charges and five years for the concealment charge.