Rathdrum man sentenced to prison for drug trafficking, possession of child porn

A Rathdrum man was recently sentenced to a 10-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after five years after being found in possession of child pornography.

Steven Archie Spry, 59, was convicted of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl and six counts of sexual exploitation of children by possession of sexually exploitative material, according to a press release from the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

The drug charges stem from an incident Sept. 18, 2023, when officers arrested an individual at Spry’s residence for a probation violation. During the investigation, officers obtained a search warrant for Spry’s residence and located drugs and drug paraphernalia, including trafficking amounts of methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) and 83 fentanyl pills. 

Spry was arrested and bond was set at $150,000. Bond was reduced to $40,000 and nine days later he bonded out of jail.

On Nov. 28, 2023, Spry was involved in an altercation with bondsmen attempting to arrest a wanted individual in Spry’s motel room. During the investigation, officers obtained a search warrant for the motel room and located drugs and drug paraphernalia, including fentanyl pills in Spry’s pocket, the release said.

Spry was arrested and bond was set at $150,000 by Magistrate Judge Mayli Walsh. He was sentenced Nov. 22, 2024, by District Judge Casey Simmons to a unified 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after five years.

While searching the motel room, officers also seized Spry’s cellphone. After obtaining a warrant to search the phone, officers located hundreds of suspected images of child pornography, the release said.

Spry was sentenced for possession of sexually exploitative material Aug. 15 to a 10-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after five years.