Probation is ordered in pot possession case

SANDPOINT - A Washington teen who was caught with a substantial amount of marijuana during a reckless driving investigation has been sentenced to probation.

District Judge John Patrick Luster cited Ian A. McQueen's lack of a criminal record, his candor to police and a presentence investigator and a distinguished record of community service as factors in the sentence of two years of probation with drug testing.

McQueen, 19, attracted the attention of law enforcement on March 30, when he was behind of the wheel of a Toyota 4-Runner driving down Schweitzer Mountain Road. The occupants of the sport utility vehicle were reportedly hanging out of the vehicle and throwing things at traffic, according to an Idaho State Police report

A Schweitzer shuttle bus driver told police a banana peel struck his windshield when he encountered the SUV on the mountain road, according to court documents.

An ISP trooper smelled the odor of pot when McQueen's rig was stopped. A search turned up an unspecified amount of the drug. McQueen was charged with possession with intent to deliver, a charge which was reduced to felony possession of three or more ounces in exchange for a plea.

"I made some past mistakes and it's time to move forward and do what I know is best," McQueen said at the hearing.

But Luster had trouble squaring McQueen's potential for being responsible with his conduct on the mountain road, which he said was "mind-boggling." He added that calling it a stupid act would be an "understatement."

"I guess that's why they call it dope," Luster said.