For the week of June 26 - July 2, 2002

Hailey man convicted of drug trafficking

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By GREG MOORE
Express Staff Writer

A Hailey man faces a minimum of 40 years in prison after being convicted in 5^th District Court last week of selling large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

Robert Eugene Hall, 49, was arrested in October after police found about 70 pounds of marijuana, 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine and about a pound of cocaine in his possession. Some of the drugs were at his rented house at 220 Alder St. in Hailey, but most were stashed at his mother’s house in Twin Falls. Police concluded his mother had no knowledge of the stash.

"This guy is a major trafficker," said Blaine County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Justin Whatcott.

At the conclusion of a two-day trial, a jury deliberated for four hours before finding Hall guilty on all of six trafficking counts brought against him in Blaine and Twin Falls counties. Hall did not take the stand or bring witnesses to testify in his defense.

The jury also convicted Hall of felony possession of stolen property for having a stolen shotgun at his house in Hailey, and of possession of methamphetamine. It was in pursuit of the stolen gun that police discovered the drugs at his house.

Due to his two previous convictions for selling cocaine in Washington state, the jury found Hall to be a persistent violator. Under Idaho law, that results in a minimum sentence of five years for each of the eight counts of which he was found guilty.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 5.

 

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