Troy drug bust defendants arraigned

Four Troy residents who were arrested in association with possession of drugs and paraphernalia on Dec. 10 were arraigned in Montana 19th Judicial District Court on Jan. 2, with one granted conditional release.

Richard Pefferman, Michelle Lowe, Kenneth Kanzler and Jeremiah Gardner were all apprehended during a coordinated set of raids by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Troy Police Department.

Gardner was granted conditional release under his own recognizance on Jan. 2 during the arraignment.

As of Jan. 7, all four were on conditional release.

The four defendants were found together in an East Spokane Avenue residence in Troy. Law enforcement also found methamphetamine, syringes, pipes and firearms in plain sight in the residence.

Law enforcement also raided a Yaak Avenue residence where Lowe and Gardner resided, finding methamphetamine and paraphernalia, as well as a digital scale and plastic baggies.

The raid was conducted under search warrants for the residences authorizing a search for drugs, paraphernalia, guns “and other evidence for the crimes of possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.”

All four are charged with felony possession of dangerous drugs. Lowe, who was found in possession of hydrocodone pills and $300 in cash in her purse faces two charges for felony possession of dangerous drugs.

Court documents state that there was no evidence Lowe had a prescription for the pills.

All four have also been charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the court documents, none of the other defendants made a motion for release.

Gardner was being held on a $35,000 bail, which is the bail for Lowe as well. The bail for Pefferman and Kanzler was set at $10,000.

All four pleaded not guilty to all charges. They are next scheduled to appear in court for their omnibus hearings on Monday, March 11.