Man arrested in Pocatello on drug-trafficking charge

POCATELLO — A local man has been arrested in Pocatello on a drug trafficking charge after he was found to be in possession of methamphetamines during a traffic stop.

Jacob Lynn Hill, 40, has been charged with one count of trafficking in methamphetamine and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Court documents state on July 31, officers from the Pocatello Police Department initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of West Maple Street and Taft Avenue for an alleged license plate violation.

Documents state officers had been searching for the vehicle, which had been seen earlier in the night behaving suspiciously in “known drug areas.”

A male was driving the vehicle and Hill was reportedly in the passenger seat. Documents state Hill was sweating profusely, and the driver was smoking heavily, which officers found to be odd. Documents allege the officer could smell marijuana from the vehicle and the officer believed the driver was smoking to try and cover the odor.

At this point, documents state a K9 unit was called who gave a positive indication for narcotics in the vehicle, and the vehicle was searched.

A total of 91.34 grams of suspected methamphetamine packaged in multiple bags was found, according to documents. In addition, officers reportedly found a digital scale, additional packaging materials and $1,194.

The items found in the vehicle reportedly gave officers probable cause to believe the methamphetamine was possessed with the intent to deliver, documents state.

Documents say officers spoke with the driver of the vehicle, who told officers that he “had been clean for four years,” and was just giving Hill a ride home. Officers reportedly did not believe the claim, as they had seen the driver’s vehicle multiple times earlier in the night. The driver claimed he did not know Hill had drugs in his possession, according to documents.

Hill was placed under arrest, and the driver was taken in for further questioning, documents state.

If found guilty of the charges, Hill may face up to life in prison and be required to pay fines of up to $101,000.

Hill is being represented by a public defender. The Idaho State Public Defender’s office does not comment on pending cases.

He is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Aug. 25.

Although Hill has been accused of these crimes, that does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.