A vehicle filled with three passed out people led to the arrest of an alleged fentanyl supplier in the early hours of Aug. 18 in Centralia.
Steven D. Peterson, 37, of Centralia, was charged later that day for one count of delivery of a controlled substance and another for possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. Each charge carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
During the evening of Aug. 17, two Centralia police officers investigated three people reportedly passed out in a vehicle at the intersection of Fords Prairie Avenue and Harrison Avenue. The suspects were arrested. Paraphernalia — and what appeared to be fentanyl — was also found.
According to court documents, the officers soon learned that the suspects’ alleged supplier lived across the street from where the arrest took place. They also learned the suspect was dating a woman who had a felony warrant out for her arrest.
The two officers parked near the suspect’s building and waited. About 12:46 a.m., Peterson and a woman exited. The officers shined their flashlights. The woman was identified as Jodee A. Beckwith, 30, of Centralia. She was arrested for her warrant.
Peterson, meanwhile, admitted to selling the fentanyl from earlier in the night, before retrieving more of the substance from inside his residence. The suspected fentanyl was contained in a small purple case, according to court documents.
The quantity of the substance was reportedly “greater than user amounts.”
During a preliminary hearing on Monday, defense attorney Rachael Tiller noted that Peterson resides locally and has done so consistently over the past decade. She also mentioned that Peterson has zero prior convictions on his record.
Lewis County Superior Court Judge Paul Strophy set bail at $20,000 cash or bond. An arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 21. Joshua House has been assigned to represent Peterson.
