News Story - Idaho State Journal

POCATELLO -- A Pocatello man accused of dealing drugs was arrested Thursday with five pounds of high-grade marijuana, $300 in cash and a Glock semiautomatic handgun with a 30-round clip, authorities said.

Kelly Kroese, 21, is charged with four felonies, including two counts of marijuana trafficking and two counts of delivery. He could also face an enhancement for having a gun, which could add federal charges. Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said a federal prosecutor will review the case.

The arrest occurred at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday near the Red Lion Hotel. Kroese was driving a 2005 Chevy truck north on Interstate 15 when he took the Pocatello Creek exit. Bannock County Deputy Jeremy Taysom was authorized to stop the truck, and when he did, Kroese fled on foot, Nielsen said.

Taysom brought the suspect down with a Taser and made the arrest. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene to evaluate Kroese before he was taken to the Bannock County jail.

The arrest follows a three-month undercover operation by a multiagency drug task force.

Nielsen estimated the street value of the pot to be about $25,000. However, he emphasized that the gun was the most troubling part of the bust.

"This kind of stuff bothers me a whole lot," Nielsen said, pointing to the weapon during a press conference at the sheriff's office on Friday. "That's not standard hunting or target practice issue."

Power County Sheriff Jim Jeffries and Pocatello Police Capt. Steve Findley were also present at the news conference. The investigation originated in Power County and Jeffries requested the participation of other agencies when it became clear that the case was centered in Pocatello.

An unspecified amount of marijuana was found in Kroese's truck. Police confiscated both the drugs and the vehicle along with the cash.

"We already knew he had the (pot) with him and when he became mobile we decided to have him stopped," Nielsen said, adding that Kroese was in the process of making a delivery.

The task force then obtained a search warrant for Kroese's home on Swisher Road, which was searched Thursday night.

There, officers found more marijuana, the gun and a ledger detailing Kroese's transactions. The majority of customers were college students, Nielsen said, adding that undercover narcotics detectives had made a series of controlled buys from Kroese dating back to mid-July.

A second man was also arrested in connection with the sting. Matthew Belnap is charged with misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia and marijuana. He is free on bail.

Nielsen said the investigation is ongoing. He said the investigation stretched to Twin Falls and other locations throughout the state. More people will likely be charged in connection with the bust, Nielsen said.

By Casey Santee

This document was originally published online on Saturday, October 25, 2008

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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of our paper.

News Hound wrote on Oct 25, 2008 8:20 AM:

" Incomplete reporting compared to versions on other SE Idaho media sites. Why was second person arrested? Both ISU students....Details details details. "

yourfingers wrote on Oct 25, 2008 11:42 AM:

" News Hound is right! Dig in deeper and inform the public. "

alibaba wrote on Oct 25, 2008 2:24 PM:

" dang they are cracking down on the boys these days no one can make a buck on a flip its hard out here for a pimp "

Moroniboy wrote on Oct 26, 2008 4:41 PM:

" I think we should just let "the church" handle these cases. It would save us so much tax money. "

spprt81 wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:14 PM:

" It's too bad the police don't waste our tax dollars on something on some actual importance...like meth. A little bit of grass in a college town is nothing. And another thought, there is nothing illegal about owning a handgun, nor a 30 round clip.(Thanks to bush) Stay strong Kelly! "

Whatta Dick wrote on Oct 30, 2008 8:27 PM:

" Spprt81 you are a complete rectum. Maybe you and your pal Kelly should share a cell for a long long time. If you get tired of Kelly maybe his roomie "Miss Demeanor" could bunk with you. Stay strong and get some soap on a rope! "

2c wrote on Oct 31, 2008 12:26 AM:

" sppr81 has a point; we are talking about marijuanna here, not something like methamphetamine. alchohol has just as many reasons, or more, to be illegal as marijuanna does. however, it is illegal and no doubt he will face the consequences for it. Though, there is no need to play this news story up any more than what it is, "a little bit of grass in a college town". come on a realize it for what it is. there have even been a number of u.s. presidents that have admitted to experimenting with it and they turned out just fine. i also agree that if the gun he owns is not illegal then there is no reason to associate it with his other offenses. i am definitely pro gun rights and as soon as they take away his right to own one the next day they will be taking yours or mine away. "

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