Greenbank man found guilty on meth charges

Dealer could get up to 12 years in prison

A jury found a drug dealer who had set up shop in the heart of Greenbank guilty last week of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The evidence presented in Island County Superior Court convinced the jury that Mark Crow, 56, and two others had been selling drugs out of an old motor home that was parked on a property of an abandoned home near the Greenbank Store.

Crow was arrested as part of a sting operation in October, said Eric Ohme, deputy prosecutor for the Island County Prosecutor Office.

Police had given an informant money to buy drugs from Crow, and Crow had one gram of meth and $317 in his pocket when he was arrested.

When officers searched the motor home they found 19 grams of a substance that was later identified as meth, plus $3,300 in cash and a $500 money order.

However, there were likely more drugs, Ohme said.

“There were also numerous other bags with a white crystal substance,” Ohme said. Police also found drug paraphernalia in the mobile home.

Crow faces up to 144 months in prison. Ohme said Thursday he would seek the maximum penalty allowed under the law for Crow’s crimes.

“I am going to request the 144,” Ohme said.

The penalty is higher because Crow ran his operation within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop, which could add 24 months to Crow’s sentence.

Crow will be sentenced on Jan. 25 in Island County Superior Court.

Edison Walters, 64, was arrested at the same time as Crow in October.

Walters pled guilty in late 2007 to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. He also pled guilty to unlawful possession of a short barreled rifle and was sentenced on Dec. 24 to 74 months in prison.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.