By Alan Sorensen
A 17-year-old boy and 18-year-old woman arrested in searches that turned up drugs at three Havre homes Tuesday were still in custody Thursday morning. A third suspect arrested at the same time, another 17-year-old boy, was released on his own recognizance with conditions.
The names of the two boys are being withheld pending formal charges, Juvenile Probation Officer Bob Peake said.
Julie Morsette, 18, of Havre, is being held at Hill County Justice Center without bond. She was arrested for a probation violation involving the drugs, Adult Parole and Probation Officer Jerry Smith said.
The boy in custody was a juvenile parolee. He is being held at the Great Falls Detention Center for violating conditions of his release. The other boy was not on probation or parole, Peake said.
The searches were conducted under the direction of officers with the Adult Parole and Probation Division of the Department of Corrections on the homes of three people already under their supervision.
Also participating in the searches were officers with the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force and U.S. Customs agents. Police Capt. Mark Stolen said that a drug dog provided by U.S. Customs also assisted in the searches.
Illegal drugs were found in all three residences, Stolen said. About half a pound of suspected methamphetamines were found in one of the homes.
All three suspects are facing drug charges ranging from possession to criminal sale of dangerous drugs. Reports were still incomplete Thursday morning, Stolen said, but most of the charges are expected to be felonies.
The case has been turned over to officers of the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force.
Reports will be forwarded to the Hill County Attorney for review as they are completed by officers and agents involved in Tuesdays actions, Stolen said.
