Two arrested for trafficking in Lewiston

A Lewiston man and woman face trafficking charges for allegedly bringing in methamphetamine from Pasco, Wash.

Corina E. Cornwell, 49, of Lewiston, and Shawn D. Raines, 41, of Lewiston, face a minimum of 10 years to life in prison as well as a $25,000 to $100,000 fine for the drug trafficking charge. Both made their initial appearance Thursday before Magistrate Judge Victoria Olds at the Nez Perce County Courthouse.

In October, detectives with the Quad Cities Drug Task Force were investigating Cornwell for her alleged involvement with the sale and distribution of narcotics. Investigators obtained a GPS tracker through a warrant that was placed on Cornwell’s white 2003 Toyota Echo on Oct. 25, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Investigators observed the vehicle make two trips to Pasco, a known source for narcotics in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Both trips involved a stop at Walmart in Pasco before returning to Clarkston, according to the affidavit.

After the second trip to Pasco on Tuesday, the vehicle returned to Clarkston and then drove into Lewiston. A Lewiston police officer stopped the car for an expired registration. Cornwell was allegedly driving and Raines was the passenger, according to the affidavit.

During the stop, an Idaho State Police trooper deployed a drug canine, which signaled for a narcotics odor. In a search of the vehicle, investigators found a gray drawstring bag with the word “Dumbo” on it. The bag was opened and allegedly contained 456 grams, about 1 pound, of methamphetamine. The two were arrested and taken to the Nez Perce County Jail, according to the affidavit.

Later Cornwell told investigators she gave Raines a ride to the Tri-Cities, Wash., and was asleep when they were there, but they stopped near Starbuck, Wash., and Raines allegedly handed Cornwell a bag of methamphetamine and they took a portion of the drugs. Cornwell also allegedly told investigators Raines used her phone to set up drug exchanges and let investigators look at her phone. She told law enforcement she provided transport to Raines to the Tri-Cities three times “and assumed he was obtaining drugs each time,” according to the affidavit.

Raines didn’t speak with investigators, according to the affidavit.

Cornwell’s bail was set at $40,000 and Raines’ was set at $80,000. Both have a criminal history, including possession of a controlled substance and Raines was also previously convicted of possession for intent to deliver, according to court documents.

Cornwell was appointed Magyar, Rauch and Associates as public defender. Raines was appointed Rick Cuddihy as public defender. Their next court date will be Nov. 27.

Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.