California woman sentenced for two separate crimes

Paige Poor of California has been sentenced on two separate incidents that took place in Crook County almost a year apart. The first involved seizure of an estimated $100,000 worth of controlled substances from a vehicle in which she was a passenger, while the second involved alleged smuggling of contraband into a jail.

The first incident took place on November 29, 2020, when a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that radar recorded traveling at 84 mph in a 75 mph zone. When the trooper approached the vehicle, he allegedly smelled an overwhelming odor of perfume.

After speaking with the driver, the trooper approached the passenger, later identified as Poor, and reported that the perfume odor had dissipated and he could smell a very strong odor of raw marijuana.

Poor allegedly “lost the color in her face” when the trooper asked about marijuana and claimed she had smoked some earlier. The trooper stated that he could smell raw marijuana, at which Poor allegedly, “just stared out the passenger window and wouldn’t acknowledge that I was asking about marijuana.”

Poor was asked to exit the vehicle and sit in the transport cage of the patrol vehicle. As she was getting in, the trooper reported noticing an “abnormal object” in the back of her pants.

Poor allegedly eventually provided the trooper with said object, which appeared to be a meth smoking pipe containing meth residue. Poor allegedly said she had marijuana in her possession and handed over a small bag of a green, leafy substance.

The trooper reported feeling that Poor was attempting to dissuade him from searching the vehicle.

Poor was arrested for possession and advised that, if she had any amount of a controlled substance on her and took it into the jail, it would result in a felony charge. Poor allegedly advised that she had a meth pipe in her bra.

A probable cause search of the vehicle allegedly revealed marijuana shake throughout the vehicle, a measurable bud of marijuana in the cup holder and three large vacuum-sealed packages of what appeared to be concentrated THC. The total weight of the packages was found to be 6.6 lbs.

According to the trooper’s report, THC concentrates are sold in small packages, indicating “potentially thousands of doses” with a street value in excess of $100,000.

Poor faced felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to deliver, as well as two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and one of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance.

A year later, on November 15, 2021, Poor was arrested for attempting to smuggle contraband into the Crook County Detention Center after she turned herself in on an active warrant related to the first incident and it was found that she had alcohol in her purse and two controlled substances hidden within her person.

When Poor arrived at the lobby of the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, she allegedly denied having any illegal drugs or alcohol on her person or among her belongings when questioned. However, as she was booked into custody, an unopened travel-size bottle of vodka was allegedly found in her purse; she claimed to have forgotten it was there.

At around 7:45 a.m. the next morning, a Crook County Sheriff’s Deputy reported being on duty in the detention center when they saw an inmate acting suspiciously near the toilet. The deputy asked her what she was doing with the spoon that could be seen in her hand, which appeared to contain a dark substance, and Poor allegedly said “nothing.”

Shortly after, the deputy escorted Poor for video court. While she was not present, her cell was searched.

Following her court appearance, Poor was escorted into a holding cell and a search was conducted due to her suspicious behavior and a residue that was found in her cell. Deputies allegedly suspected she was concealing contraband, but none was visible or produced during the search.

Poor allegedly admitted she had heroin within her person. According to court reports, she then elaborated that she had suboxone, methamphetamine, a lighter and tin foil within her person.

Poor was accompanied to the Sundance Clinic emergency department, where the contraband was removed.

Tests performed on the items, which were contained within condoms, allegedly showed that they included small quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.

On the first incident, Poor pled guilty to one felony count of possession with intent to deliver. Judge Matthew F.G. Castano sentenced her to between four and six years of incarceration, to be suspended pending successful completion of three years of supervised probation, and a $500 fine.

For the second incident, Poor pled guilty to felony counts of taking heroin into a jail and possession of methamphetamine. Judge Castano sentenced her to a total of between six and ten years of incarceration, suspended pending successful completion of three years of supervised probation, as well as a total of $1000 in fines.