SCSO busts meth deal involving jury commissioner

KELLOGG –– A local jury commissioner is suspected of attempting to purchase methamphetamine according to a recent probable cause affidavit. 

Charges have been filed by the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office against Tammie Russell, 63, of Mullan, who was reportedly caught by law enforcement in the middle of a suspected drug deal on Friday, September 13.  

According to the PCA, deputies with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office witnessed two vehicles, including one being driven by Russell, pull into the parking lot of the apartment complex at 75 Silver Ridge Circle in Kellogg along with another vehicle.  

The deputies reportedly observed the other driver, 39-year-old Sally Wilson, exit her car and enter the passenger seat of Russell’s vehicle.  

According to the PCA, the deputies witnessed what they believed to be a small plastic bag being held by the passenger. According to the account from Deputy Ben Abshire, it was at this point that the deputies stopped watching and approached the vehicle.  

As Deputy Abshire approached the driver’s side window, he reportedly saw the driver holding a $100 bill. Deputies asked both Russell and Wilson to exit the vehicle and interviewed them separately where Russell allegedly admitted to attempting to purchase methamphetamine. She reportedly permitted deputies to search the vehicle, where they discovered a small bag that contained a substance resembling meth.  

Wilson is currently on felony probation stemming from a separate drug charge in 2022 but has had several previous drug charges over the past 20 years.  

Russell currently serves as Shoshone County’s Jury Commissioner within the Shoshone County Clerk’s Office in Wallace.  

According to the PCA, neither Russell, nor Wilson were arrested after the incident, but charges of possession of a schedule II-controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were submitted to the prosecutor’s office.  

According to the prosecutor’s office, because of Russell’s affiliation with Shoshone County, any charges in the matter will be handled by the Boise County Prosecutor’s Office.