Campground squatters plead not guilty to drug charges

Two people recently pleaded not guilty in 19th Judicial District Court in Libby to drug charges stemming from arrests made June 3 at the one mile campground on Lower Granite Road.

Casey Robert Clawson on June 19 pleaded not guilty to criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Patricia Lynn Seefeldt on June 28 pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Law enforcement was called to the campground that day because its occupants had exceeded a Forest Service time limit and were considered squatting. After arriving Lincoln County sheriff’s Sergeant Brandon Holzer made contact with Clawson, a known drug user who reportedly appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Holzer also made contact with Seefeldt, who stated she had gotten methamphetamine from Clawson prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Ron Oropeza, a K-9 officer with Border Patrol, used his K-9 on Clawson’s car, where the dog was alerted on the car. Holzer later arrested Clawson and Deputy Kirk Kraft found a clear baggie with a white substance powder on Clawson. When Seefeldt was later interviewed she described Clawson using a similar baggie to distribute the methamphetamine to her inside his car. After Clawson’s arrest he was taken to the Lincoln County Detention Facility.

When Forest Service Officer Debbie Leo questioned Seefeltdt about her drug use, Seefeldt removed methamphetamine from her purse and gave it to her without a search. Seefeldt was subsequently arrested and transported to the Lincoln County Detention Facility.

Clawson also appeared in court June 26 on a petition to revoke from adult probation and parole. With his attorney Charles Sprinkle he requested a hearing for testimony on the petition. The hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. on July 18.