Grand Forks Pair Face Fentanyl Distribution Charges

Grand Forks County (trfnews.i234.me) — Two people face felony drug charges after a traffic stop in Grand Forks County.

Edwin Isreal Chinchilla, 42, of Fargo, and Paulette Jean Schill, 35, of Grand Forks, were charged September 14.

The charges were filed in Grand Forks County District Court.

Both face conspiracy to possess fentanyl with intent to deliver.

They also face possession with intent to manufacture or deliver fentanyl.

Each is charged with possession of methamphetamine and felony drug paraphernalia.

The charges are allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Traffic Stop on Highway 2

A probable cause declaration says the stop happened early September 13.

A deputy stopped a vehicle on U.S. Highway 2 because one headlight was not working.

Schill was identified as the driver. Chinchilla was riding in the rear seat.

A third person was seated in the front passenger seat.

The deputy reported seeing tinfoil with burned residue inside the vehicle.

The material later tested presumptively positive for fentanyl, according to the court filing.

A vehicle search found an orange case containing suspected methamphetamine and suspected liquid fentanyl.

The filing lists about 2.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

It also lists about 11.7 grams of liquid suspected to contain fentanyl.

Deputies also found a backpack containing about 4.9 grams of powder.

That powder also tested presumptively positive for fentanyl, according to the filing.

A digital scale was found inside the same backpack.

The affidavit says the amount of drugs and the scale were consistent with distribution.

The affidavit says Chinchilla first gave deputies a partial or incorrect name.

Deputies later confirmed his identity after another occupant provided his full name.

The filing says Chinchilla had several outstanding felony warrants from Cass County.

Those warrants included allegations involving burglary, theft, and earlier drug charges.

The affidavit says Chinchilla asked whether Fargo authorities extradite people from Grand Forks.

Schill told deputies she was traveling from Fargo to Langdon to check a property.

Court records cited in the filing also describe prior drug-related convictions for both defendants.

Readers can search public case information through the North Dakota Court System.

Information about the local court is available through the Grand Forks County District Court.

Both defendants were being held at the Grand Forks County Jail when the source information was compiled.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.