Troy man facing life in prison
A Troy-area man is facing life in prison after his May 12, 2016, arrest on nine separate drug-related offenses.
Kevin R. Kirkwood, also identified in charging documents as “Doc,” was arrested by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Detective Nate Scofield after an investigation spanning nearly seven months. The investigation included two controlled drug buys using wired confidential informants and two searches of Kirkwood’s vehicles, which resulted in the confiscation of nearly 90 grams of methamphetamine and various paraphernalia used to measure, package, sale and ingest the drug.
Kirkwood was charged with nine felony crimes in four separate cases with dates ranging from Dec. 17, 2015, until May 12, 2016. In total, he is charged with five felony counts of possession of dangerous drugs, two counts of felony possession with intent to distribute and two counts of felony distribution of dangerous drugs. The possession charges carry maximum penalties of five years in prison and $50,000 in fines, each. The possession with intent to distribute charges are punishable by up to $50,000 in fines and 20 years in prison. The felony distribution charges could each result in “imprisonment for up to more than life,” and up to $50,000 in fines.
“Since early November 2015, I have been investigating Kevin R. Kirkwood for distribution of dangerous drugs, specifically methamphetamine,” Scofied wrote in the affidavit of probable cause filed in Lincoln County Justice Court. “This investigation took place in Lincoln County, Montana. During my investigation, I learned that Kirkwood has been dealing illegal drugs in Lincoln County for a long time. I learned that Kirkwood goes by the nickname ‘Doc’ and the reason is because he is a drug dealer that can get just about any illegal drug that people would want.”
The first case is dated Dec. 17, 2015, and charges Kirkwood with one felony count possession of dangerous drugs and one felony count of distribution of dangerous drugs. According to the documents filed in court, the charges stem from an incident in which Detective Scofield and Detective Brandon Huff monitored a controlled drug sale from Kirkwood to a confidential informant. Scofied said during the buy, the informant purchased 2.8 grams of meth from Kirkwood for $220.
The second set of charges, dated Jan. 21, 2016, are the same as the first, except Huff and Scofield reported observing Kirkwood sell 4.7 grams of methamphetamine for $500.
The third set of charges includes two felony possession charges and a felony count of possession with the intent to distribute. Scofield executed a search warrant on Kirkwood’s vehicle Feb. 26, 2016. During the search he confiscated more than 40 grams of methamphetamine and 1.5 grams of heroin.
“During the search of Kirkwood’s vehicle, I found 40.1 grams of methamphetamine and 1.5 grams of heroin,” Scofield wote. “Kirkwood was traveling back from Moses Lake, Wash., with the methamphetamine. I know from training and experience, along with many investigations involving distribution of methamphetamine that it is common for drug dealers to drive to Washington to pick up large amounts of methamphetamine due to the prices being cheaper and the supply being greater. I also know that 40.1 grams is way more than normal personal use. I also know from my investigation that Kirkwood planned on distributing the methamphetamine to other individuals in Lincoln County, Montana. Kirkwood had stayed in contact with confidential informants just prior to him going to Washington, stating that he was looking for ‘investors’ or people who wanted to give him money to go purchase methamphetamine.”
A second search warrant was executed on Kirkwood’s residence and vehicle May 12, 2016, which resulted in the discovery and confiscation of 40.4 grams of methamphetamine, along with packing material and other drug use and distribution paraphernalia.
“During the search of Kirkwood’s vehicle, I found a plastic case containing 40.4 grams of methamphetamine packaged in three different bags, more plastic bags for packaging, a digital scale with residue used to weigh methamphetamine, syrings, spoons and a methamphetamine pipe,” Scofield wrote. “I found a lockbox type safe in Kirkwood’s residence containing more packaging material, two more scales and lots of other paraphernalia used to ingest, store, conceal or package dangerous drugs, specifically methamphetamine.”
As a result of the May 12 incident, Kirkwood was charged with felony possession of dangerous drugs and felony possession with intent to distribute.