Paige Lenhart

Paige Lenhart

*CHARGES DISMISSED*

On April 3, all charges against 21-year-old Paige Lenhart were Dismissed on Motion of the Prosecutor. 

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Original Story (3/28/23)

LEWISTON - On the evening of Saturday, March 25, 2023, a Deputy with the Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office responded to the parking lot of the Clearwater River Casino after receiving the report of a female that was allegedly observed smoking something off of aluminum foil inside of her vehicle.

Upon the Deputy's arrival, he reportedly observed the female, later identified as 21-year-old Paige Lenhart, in the driver's seat of the vehicle with something that looked like aluminum foil in her right hand.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Big Country News Connection, as the Deputy pulled up behind the vehicle Lenhart was observed making a quick movement to her right with the object(s) in her hands.

When making contact with Lenhart and asking her about the foil, Lenhart claimed she had been doing her makeup. It was at that time that a Tribal Officer also on scene observed a small sheet of aluminum foil and a green and orange straw on the passenger rear floorboard of the vehicle.

A subsequent search of the vehicle was then conducted. Inside the vehicle, the Deputy seized the foil and straw observed on the ground. Inside of the foil was also a half-burned pill blue in color, suspected to be a "mexi," otherwise known as a fentanyl-based pill. Several additional pieces of burned foil and pipes were also located inside of the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Lenhart was placed under arrest for felony Possession of a Controlled Substance as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

During an arraignment held on Monday, Lenhart pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge. Judge Victoria Olds set Lenhart's bond at $10,000.

A preliminary hearing has been set for April 5, 2023.