Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Gavin James Kuehne is looking at spending a decade behind bars for simple drug possession.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – In the world of drug sentencing laws, defendants have good incentive to take a plea, especially when they are looking at receiving at least 10 years in prison when it regards methamphetamine.
That is the sobering reality facing Gavin James Kuehne, 24, after he was picked up on a warrant Tuesday, July 17, and was found to be in possession of meth, which is considered a dangerous drug. Kuehne already has two outstanding separate charges of possession of a dangerous drug and two separate charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as DUI-drug. He is represented by defense attorney Dennis McCarthy.
According to a Safford Police report, an officer spotted Kuehne riding a bicycle northbound on 1st Avenue at about 11:37 a.m. The officer reported he received information regarding a valid warrant for Kuehne and followed him as he turned left onto 9th Street. The officer then contacted Kuehne and placed him under arrest.
While conducting a search, the officer located approximately 1 gram of methamphetamine in Kuehne’s pocket.
If Kuehne is convicted on the previous two times he was caught with meth, this third instance, if found guilty, would require a presumptive sentence of 10 years and up to 15 years in prison.
However, since all the charges are still outstanding the prosecution may offer a plea agreement that could be more favorable for the defendant that could involve a rehabilitation requirement.
