Alleged drug dealer pleads guilty

An alleged drug dealer is poised to serve five years of a partially suspended sentence after reaching an agreement with prosecutors.

Kimberly D. Kusener, 39, pleaded guilty to a single count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to distribute in Lincoln County District Court on April 12. Authorities allegedly found 64 grams of methamphetamine on her during a traffic stop in November.

Investigators with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office began searching for Kusener after informants reported that she was back in the Troy area and selling drugs. On probation in Idaho, Kusener was barred from traveling to Montana, according to court documents.

Detective Brandon Holzer initiated the November traffic stop after getting a tip from Chief Katie Davis of the Troy Police Department. A subsequent search of her car allegedly turned up marijuana, pills and two loaded needles, court documents said.

During an interview, Kusener acknowledged that 64 grams of methamphetamine exceed what would constitute personal use, according to an affidavit. She did not reveal the intended recipients of the Schedule II substance.

Kusener initially pleaded not guilty to the felony charge and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Between court appearances, Kusener vanished. District Judge Matthew Cuffe issued a bench warrant for her arrest in December.

Authorities found her on Jan. 26. Working off of tips, Davis located Kusener’s car behind the home of David Glenn Allyn in Troy earlier that month. After securing a search warrant, a joint team of sheriff’s office deputies and city police officers raided the home. Inside, they allegedly found drugs, guns and wigs.

Kusener, donning one of the wigs, was located hiding in a dog kennel, court documents said. She later admitted using wigs to disguise herself in and around Troy.

Authorities also charged Allyn with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. He denied knowing that Kusener was at his home and claimed he had just returned from an eye appointment when the raid began, according to court documents.

Authorities duly informed him they had the home under surveillance and knew he was listening to music with Kusener prior to the search warrant’s execution. Allyn allegedly told them that Kusener was his niece and he did not want to roll on her. He claimed the methamphetamine in the house belonged to Kusener.

He later pleaded not guilty to the charges.

As part of Kusener’s deal, prosecutors will recommend she serve five years of a 10-year stint with the Montana State Prison. It will run concurrent to Kusener’s sentence in Idaho. She also is to pay a $500 fine to the Lincoln County Drug Forfeiture Fund.

Prosecutors agreed not to charge Kusener on any other misconduct authorities know about.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 17.