By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The one remaining person from this summer’s so-called Big Bottom Bust in Randle is a free man after prosecutors dismissed his drug charges.
Marty Joe Mullins, 48, was among seven individuals charged in Lewis County Superior Court with delivery of methamphetamine after the June raids in which 10 people were jailed.
[1]June 7, 2013, Randle
Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said the only evidence he had Mullins sold meth came from the confidential informant whose credibility is tainted by mental health issues.
“Our informant committed a new offense himself, and quite frankly, he’s not reliable,” Meagher said yesterday.
Mullins had been charged with two counts of delivery, based on transactions that purportedly occurred last April and May at his home on Kiona Road.
Meagher went to a judge a week ago Friday and got the case dismissed. It’s dismissed without prejudice, meaning if someday the informant is reliable again, the charges can be refiled, Meagher said.
Meagher said the informant was arrested for harassment, but he likely won’t be filing a charge against him.
The operation that included some 25 law enforcement personnel and was coordinated by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Regional Task Force included 14 undercover “buys” conducted by the same person, according to authorities.
The informant’s contact information in court documents is listed as sheriff’s detective Jeffrey Humphrey who remains on paid administrative leave after getting arrested earlier this month for driving under the influence in Chehalis. Two weeks ago, Meagher said only “maybe” as to whether Humphrey’s situation would affect Mullins’ case.
The other six individuals have all made plea deals, with three of them already sentenced for possession. Three of them have not yet been sentenced.
The June law enforcement action was named after the Big Bottom Valley some 50 miles east of Interstate 5 in which it took place.
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For background, read “Seven charged for dealing meth in Randle” from Tuesday June 11, 2013, here [2]