Wife of Coeur d’Alene doctor pleads not guilty in alleged drug ring

Loren Michelle Toelle, the wife of Coeur d’Alene gastroenterologist Stanley Alvin Toelle, pleaded not guilty to felony drug distribution in federal court Thursday.

Her son, Sean Lee Jackson, pleaded not guilty to related drug charges at the same hearing in Coeur d’Alene. Both are Las Vegas residents and are in federal custody, and both were appointed public defenders.

They are among eight defendants, including Dr. Toelle, indicted in an alleged multistate drug trafficking ring.

Federal prosecutors allege the defendants were involved in distribution of heroin, methamphetamine and oxycodone pills 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.

Stanley 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. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Idaho has filed charges seeking forfeiture of at least $1.3 million in cash plus four homes and 10 vehicles.

Two other children of Loren Toelle’s previously pleased not guilty in the case, which is schedule for trial in U.S. District Court in May.

Kootenai Health placed Dr. Toelle on “precautionary leave” after his arrest Feb. 4. His attorney said Toelle was not involved in drug trafficking.