Four Soldotna residents have been indicted on a variety of drug and gun-related charges. The indictments, issued on Friday, stem from an Alaska State Trooper investigation into a stolen handgun.
On March 13, troopers responded to reports that Joseph Lantz, 30, of Soldotna was in possession of a .45 caliber Sig Sauer handgun. The weapon had previously been reported stolen, according to an affidavit. Lantz had been attempting to sell the handgun when a potential buyer became skeptical of the deal and called the police, according to the affidavit.
Investigators obtained a warrant to search a house on St. Joseph Street in Soldotna, and found Lantz, along with his wife Breanna Wright, 25, and her mother Patricia Barnes, 45. They also found several guns and drugs including methamphetamine, oxycodone, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine, according to the affidavit.
Lantz claimed that he didn’t own any guns and had no recollection of where the weapons in the house had come from, according to the affidavit.
Lantz was carrying $2,300 in cash and had 12.1 grams of methamphetamine in his possession, according to affidavit.
Both Wright and Barnes admitted to having used heroin, which was in violation of their court ordered requirements from a different case. Wright had been Barnes’ court appointed third party custodian.
Another woman, Kami Tullos, 39, was found outside the home after exiting through the back door, investigators said. Tullos exhibited signs of methamphetamine use, and had .6 gram of the substance with her, according to an affidavit.
Upon arriving at Wildwood Pretrial Facility, correctional officers found an additional 2.4 grams of heroin in Lantz’s possession, according to the affidavit.
Lantz has been charged with four felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance, one felony count of promoting contraband, one felony count of theft and one felony count of misconduct involving weapons. He faces a maximum of 60 years in prison and fines up to $650,00.
Wright has been charged with three felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of violation of a custodian’s duty. She faces a maximum of 16 years in prison and fines up to $160,000.
Barnes has been charged with 11 felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of violations of conditions of release for a felony. She faces a maximum of 101 years in prison and a fine up to $1.11 million.
Tullos has been charged with one felony count of misconduct involving a controlled substance. She faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine up to $50,000.
Lantz, Wright and Barnes will be arraigned today at the Kenai Courthouse, while Tullos will be arraigned on April 7.
Reach Ian Foley at Ian.foley@peninsulaclarion.com.
