Spokane couple deny drug charges

A Spokane, Washington, couple accused of selling oxycodone in Havre and Rocky Boy claimed innocence to seven combined drug distribution-related felony charges Thursday morning.

Curtis Finch, who is in a wheelchair, was rolled into the Hill County District Court, clad in jail attire. He answered not guilty as Judge Daniel Boucher asked how he pleaded to the following accusations: one count of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, one count of use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture and four counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Finch's wife and accused accomplice, 45-year-old Lynette Moss, was escorted by officers into the courtroom shortly after Finch. She plead not guilty to one felony count of criminal distribution of a dangerous drug.

Finch and Moss were arrested Nov. 9 after a sting operation. The Tri-Agency Safe Trails Force Agency pulled the couple over and searched their rental car. The subsequent search of the car and the hotel room where they were staying revealed three unlabeled pill bottles with a total of 89 oxycodone pills of four dose sizes and $2,439 cash on Finch.

The omnibus hearing, which is basically a hearing to determine the admissibility of evidence, will be held Jan. 11.

Both of the accused are being held at the Hill County Detention Center, Finch on a $100,000 bond, Moss on $40,000.

Before Finch could enter his plea, there was a slight delay

Since Finch and Moss are husband and wife, the words "conflict of interest" were relayed from stand-in public defender Jesse Fries to the judge. Fries spoke for Finch in the morning. An earlier version of this story indicated that Moss had pleaded guilty to one count of the charge. The Havre Daily News regrets the error.