Three defendants in alleged drug ring plead not guilty in Coeur d’Alene

Three defendants in an alleged multistate drug trafficking ring pleaded not guilty Wednesday in federal court in Coeur d’Alene.

They join Dr. Stanley Alvin Toelle, 61, a gastroenterologist for Kootenai Health, in entering not-guilty pleas in the case, which is set for trial starting April 11.

Toelle appeared Feb. 8 on a charge of conspiracy to launder money in the case, which investigators allege involves at least $1.3 million in drug proceeds since 2009.

Toelle’s wife, Loren Michelle Toelle, 51, also was arrested on federal drug distribution charges. She has not been arraigned.

On Wednesday, two of Loren Toelle’s children went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale. Steven Wayne Jackson, 30, of Las Vegas, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of heroin and conspiracy to launder money.

Sherlann Simon, 34, of North Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to launder money.

Also, Kristin Rene Wilson, 28, of Las Vegas, a friend of Loren Toelle’s, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to launder money.

Dale appointed separate public defenders to represent all three defendants, who were ordered not to have contact with each other or anyone else named in the case.

Another of Loren Toelle’s sons, Sean Lee Jackson, 27, and her brother, Robert Lamar Hill, 54, both Las Vegas residents, have yet to appear in federal court on drug distribution charges.

Jessica Nadine Frederick, 27, a former girlfriend of Hill’s, also has been charged in the case and remains a fugitive. Frederick formerly lived in Liberty Lake.

Federal prosecutors say the alleged drug ring involved heroin, methamphetamine and oxycodone pills distributed in Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Las Vegas, Missoula and parts of North Dakota, including Williston, Fargo, and in and around the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Idaho has filed charges seeking forfeiture of at least $1.3 million in cash, Dr. Toelle’s 4,700-square-foot house overlooking Silver Beach on Lake Coeur d’Alene, three homes in Las Vegas and 10 vehicles, including four registered to Loren Toelle and three registered to Stanley Toelle.

After Dr. Toelle’s arrest Feb. 4, Kootenai Health placed him on “precautionary leave.”