Troy man held on $500,000 bail after drug charges

A Troy man is being held on $500,000 bail after he was arrested last week for allegedly distributing dangerous drugs.

Kevin R. Kirkwood, 57, of Troy, on Dec. 7 was arrested on two counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. Lincoln County Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield last week set his bail at $500,000 for violating the conditions of his release. He had been released in June on his own recognizance after he was arrested for nine drug charges in May.

Kirkwood was arrested at a Libby hotel after he allegedly set up a drug deal with an undercover law enforcement agent a day earlier. On Dec. 6, Lincoln County Detective Nate Scofield arranged for Kirkwood to meet the agent for an alleged methamphetamine purchase. At about 2 a.m. on Dec. 7, the undercover agent reportedly purchased 50 grams of meth and 2 grams of heroin for $1,150. According to the agent’s report, Kirkwood allegedly had an additional 20 grams of meth and 3 grams of heroin at the time of the deal.

According to court documents, Kirkwood allegedly told the agent to be careful when selling the heroin, because Kirkwood knew it was a potent substance and he knew people can die from its use.

Another law enforcement officer arrested Kirkwood immediately after the alleged deal.

Kirkwood had been arrested in May on nine different drug charges, which allegedly took place between December 2015 and May of this year. Those charges included five felony counts of possession of dangerous drugs, two counts of felony possession with intent to distribute and two counts of distributing dangerous drugs. He was held on $200,000 bond but was released on June 30 on his own recognizance. The charges last week violated the conditions of his release.

A preliminary hearing has been set for 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 21.