GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me)—On Wednesday, January 22, three individuals waived their preliminary hearings and entered not guilty pleas to charges stemming from a traffic stop in Grand Forks County. According to court documents, approximately 195 grams of fentanyl were discovered in their vehicle.
The defendants are identified as follows:
- Olivia Rain Patneaud, 23, of Rolla: Charged with Class A felony possession of at least 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to deliver, Class A misdemeanor possession of a Schedule III narcotic drug, and Class A misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Jomell Emery Helm, 35, of Detroit, Michigan: Charged with Class A felony possession of at least 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to deliver and Class A misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Melvin Earl Byrd, 35, of Eastpointe, Michigan: Charged with Class A felony possession of at least 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to deliver and Class A misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Law enforcement officials allege that the group was transporting the fentanyl from Detroit, Michigan, to the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Another defendant in the case, Darla Rae Belgarde, had her preliminary hearing in December. The court found probable cause to proceed, and she pleaded not guilty to two felony charges. Her final dispositional conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23.
A fifth defendant, Christian Lee LaRocque, 22, of Belcourt, was ordered in December to undergo an evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial.
Patneaud, Helm, and Byrd are scheduled for their final dispositional conferences at 1:30 p.m. on April 17.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me