GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) — A Grand Forks woman, Tara Rose Garza, 38, waived her preliminary hearing on Monday, Nov. 18, and pleaded not guilty to a Class A felony charge of possessing methamphetamine within 300 feet of a school, with intent to deliver. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.
According to an affidavit, law enforcement reviewed footage from Cherry Street cameras on Oct. 4, which appeared to show a suspected drug transaction. The footage reportedly captured a man retrieving an item from a backpack at a park bench, manipulating it, and then placing it in the front pocket of Garza’s hoodie.
When officers located Garza, they allegedly found $186 in small bills, a medium baggie containing approximately 2.6 grams of methamphetamine, and seven additional baggies. The incident occurred approximately 165 feet from Lewis and Clark Elementary School during school hours, qualifying the case for an enhanced felony charge.
Garza’s final dispositional conference is set for 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 13.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me