Heroin sales lead to prison sentences in Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team cases

PORT ANGELES — Two Carlsborg residents Travis D. McDaniel and Katherine M. Melcer were sentenced this month to 20 months in state prison followed by 20 months’ community custody after each pleaded guilty to selling heroin last December.

McDaniel, 35, was sentenced last Tuesday in Clallam County Superior Court after he pleaded guilty to delivering heroin to an Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, or OPNET, informant last Dec. 6.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office alleged that McDaniel sold the drug within 1,000 feet of Greywolf Elementary School in Carlsborg, court papers said.

Three other counts of delivery of heroin were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Melcer, 34, plead guilty Nov. 4 to selling heroin last Dec. 5, 6 and 10, OPNET Supervisor Jason Viada said.

She was sentenced Nov. 12.

McDaniel and Melcer were arrested during a traffic stop in Jefferson County on April 9.

Meanwhile, Corey R. Spaulding and Kaitlan M. Gort, both of Port Hadlock, have been charged in Jefferson County Superior Court with selling methamphetamine, Viada said.

Spaulding, 29, was charged with four counts of delivery of methamphetamine and maintaining a premises for drug trafficking for allegedly using a public housing apartment to distribute the drug from September to November, Viada said.

Gort, 23, was charged with two counts of delivery of methamphetamine and maintaining a premises for drug trafficking for allegedly selling the drug from the apartment she shared with Spaulding, Viada said.

Sequim police, the U.S. Border Patrol, Clallam and Jefferson counties’ sheriff’s offices and the Coast Guard assisted OPNET with the investigation.

“After Spaulding and Gort were arrested by Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies, the children who lived in the apartment were taken into protective custody because there was probable cause to believe that the children were endangered by the drug activity in the apartment,” Viada said in a Friday news release.

“Also during the investigation, the car used by Spaulding and Gort was seized because there was probable cause to believe that the car had been used to transport methamphetamine from out of the area back into Port Hadlock.”

Heroin sentence

In other OPNET cases, Brian L. Constant, 27, of Port Angeles was sentenced to one year in prison and eight months’ community custody after pleading guilty last Tuesday to selling heroin May 30.

Kenneth F. Simmons, 50, of Clallam County was sentenced to two years of community custody after pleading guilty Oct. 29 to first-degree possession of stolen property and two counts of delivery of methamphetamine.

During the Simmons investigation, OPNET recovered a stolen bulldozer, excavator, off-road vehicle, boat motor and firearm, Viada said.

Jason W. Morehead, 44, of Port Angeles was sentenced to two years’ community custody after pleading guilty last month to delivering methamphetamine to OPNET in May, Viada said.

More in News

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park, conducts a tour for interested visitors on Thursday. The lighthouse was built in 1878 when Congress approved $8,000 for the light and foghorns. Although the facility is still an active U.S. Coast Guard station, the equipment is monitored and operated remotely and no keepers are present. Regular tours on Saturdays and Sundays will resume in May. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Lighthouse tour

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse… Continue reading

EMT Teresa DeRousie, center, was recognized for her long service to Clallam County Fire District 2. Presenting the award were Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Denton, left, and Chief Jake Patterson. (Clallam County Fire District 2)
Clallam 2 Fire Rescue hosts awards banquet

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue recognized career and volunteer members during… Continue reading

Construction set to begin on new marine life center in Port Angeles

Groundbreaking event scheduled for April 8 at Pebble Beach Park

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory rower propels his craft in the calm waters of the Salish Sea. Whidbey Island is in the distance. Today’s high temperature is forecast to be in the low 50s with partly cloudy skies. Rain is set to return this weekend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rowing on the Strait

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory… Continue reading

Fire protection may impact insurance rates

New protection class considers nuanced data

The view looking south from Hurricane Ridge, where variable winter weather has limited snow coverage and contributed to pauses in snow sports operations in recent weeks. (Washington’s National Park Fund)
Lack of snow has impact at Hurricane Ridge

Water equivalent well below average for February

Port Angeles secures grant to aid in salmon recovery

State Department of Commerce to provide city with $109,000

Tickets still available for United Way of Clallam County fundraiser

Pajamas are encouraged, teddy bears are optional and comfort… Continue reading

Interviews set for hospital board

At least seven candidates up for commissioner seat

Port Angeles asks for fee to cover lodging tax contracts

Resolution sent to committee for administrative costs

Climate action group is guiding reduction goals

Reduced emmissions require reduced transportation footprint