Another charge filed for a sting in 2022

Published 7:49 am Monday, July 1, 2024

SOUTH BEND — Charges have been filed in Pacific County Superior Court against another individual for alleged delivery of controlled substances in 2022. At least two others have been charged in the past six months for alleged controlled substance crimes dating back to 2022.

The Pacific County Prosecutor’s Office filed one count of delivery of a controlled substance against Derek E. Blythe, 58, on May 10, 2024. He was issued a summons on May 10, 2024, with a notice to appear on June 7, 2024.

According to court records, the Pacific County Joint Drug Task Force conducted a controlled buy with the help of a confidential informant in the fourth week of August 2022. Officers made a second purchase the following week.

The first purchase acquired blue pills commonly associated with fentanyl, and the second buy acquired several grams of methamphetamine. The drugs were sent off to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab in Seattle for scientific analysis, a process that often takes many months due to backups there.

After his case was set over, Blythe appeared for an arraignment on June 14. It was set over again to June 27 because he needed legal representation. Judge Donald J. Richter did not order any bail in the case and scheduled his tentative trial dates for Sept. 24-26, 2024, with a pretrial hearing for Aug. 9.

Delivery of a controlled substance is a Class B felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.