More than just snacks: Woman charged after K9 finds drugs in jail
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AMERICAN FALLS — A woman in Power County is facing a long list of charges after allegedly bringing drugs into a work release unit.
Rachel M. Aman, 45, has been charged with one count of introducing contraband into a correctional facility, one count of possession of major contraband in a correctional facility, two counts of conveyance of major contraband in a correctional facility, one count of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of conveyance of contraband in jail.
Court documents report that on Oct. 23 a K9 unit was requested at the Power County Jail to conduct a narcotics search after a resident said other inmates were allegedly using methamphetamine.
The K9 was deployed for a systemic search. After entering the work release unit, the K9 exhibited behavior consistent with a narcotics-detection response, according to documents.
After the search, jail staff reportedly told Power County deputies that three residents at the facility had tested positive for methamphetamine.
Lae enforcement interviewed the residents at the jail who tested positive. One woman told law enforcement that a couple of days before, she had taken a drink of Aman’s Pepsi. After she began feeling unwell, Aman allegedly told the woman that the Pepsi had been laced with methamphetamine. The woman said she had not been aware the Pepsi was allegedly laced before she took a drink.
A second woman was interviewed, who, according to court documents, provided a retelling of events consistent with the first testimony. The second woman told deputies the Pepsi bottle was still in the jail. Deputies collected it for testing.
The second woman also told officers that if there was more meth in the jail, it would be in an M&M package under Aman’s bed.
Court documents state deputies were able to locate the said M&M package, and inside the package was allegedly a “capsule-like pill containing a white, crystal-like substance.”
Aman, the last to be interviewed, denied having knowledge of the items.
Both the Pepsi bottle and the M&M package were tested and showed a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.
If found guilty of the charges against her, Aman may face up to 28 years’ confinement and may be required to pay fines of up to $56,000.
Aman is expected to appear in court Nov. 13 for arraignment.
Although Aman has been charged with these crimes, that doesn’t necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.