Spokane man pleads not guilty to drug dealing, possession

A 40-year-old Spokane man with ties to the Libby area pleaded not guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute on Monday in Lincoln County District Court.

Michael Lee Yankey is also facing three misdemeanor drug possession charges related to a Sept. 18 traffic stop at a Libby hotel.

According to a police report, Yankey was pulled over while driving a pickup and was arrested on a felony warrant. Also arrested was a passenger, Jessica Laine Graham, 35. She faces two felony charges of possession of dangerous drugs, along with felony and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charges.

Graham pleaded not guilty to the charges on Oct. 24. She and Yankey have omnibus hearings scheduled for Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m. and pre-trial conferences set for March 13.

According to the police report, police found a total of 81.1 grams of methamphetamine in the pickup in a bag, vacuum bag, duffel bag and plastic container along with a digital scale and stainless steel cup, both with methamphetamine residue, and a bong.

An informant told police that Yankey was in town to deliver methamphetamine and Graham told a police detective that she witnessed Yankey selling meth in the recent past, the police report said.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Detective Nate Scofield said that, when he was arrested, Yankey appeared extremely impaired from the use of a stimulant, specifically methamphetamine, was talking very rapidly, was very fidgety and sweating heavily in spite of it being 47 degrees outside.

Yankey is being held on a $131,000 bond.