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Sharon Carter. Photo courtesy of the state Department of Corrections.

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Longview woman arrested three times on meth charges in three months

Saturday, February 2, 2008 6:14 AM PST

By Leslie Slape

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A Longview woman arrested three times in three months faces up to 40 years in federal prison for dealing methamphetamine.

Sharon Kay Carter, 43, also known as Sharon Straw, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. She will be sentenced May 2 by Judge Benjamin Settle.

When her name was Sharon Straw, The Daily News did a series of stories in 1987 through 1995 about her family's ordeal. Her daughter, who was born in 1987 with a serious liver disorder, had a successful liver transplant in 1995.

Carter was arrested in Longview Aug. 2, Sept. 23 and Oct. 23, each time on suspicion of dealing large quantities of methamphetamine. After the first and second arrests, she posted $50,000 and $70,000 bail respectively.

After arresting Carter for the third time, local authorities asked federal authorities to look at her case. It met criteria for federal drug trafficking charges, said assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Friedman, who prosecuted the case.

"The quantities were significant," he said. "She would have in her possession half-pound quantities. More significantly, she appeared to be not responding to the state machinery. She would be arrested on a search warrant ... go in jail, get out on bond and immediately return to the same type of activity. Clearly she wasn't being impacted at all by the state court system, whereas typically one would be. She was therefore charged federally."

She was indicted by a federal grand jury Dec. 19.

Federal authorities arrested her at the Cowlitz County Jail while she was trying to get her friends to post $200,000 bail, Friedman said. Once she was in federal custody, she was held without bail, he said.

"It's sort of like, 'Enough's enough.' "

Her first arrest was the result of a three-month investigation by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force into drug trafficking. Agents served a search warrant at Carter's house and seized methamphetamine packaged for sale, scales, $4,750 cash proceeds and a loaded 9 mm Makarov semiautomatic pistol.

On Sept. 14, while out on bond awaiting trial, Carter met with a law enforcement operative at the Towne House Motel in Longview and, during a recorded transaction, sold the operative a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine for $300, according to court documents.

On Sept. 23, a uniformed Longview Police patrol officer stopped Carter for a traffic infraction. A search of her purse and belongings revealed methamphetamine and marijuana packaged for sale, scales and $3,514 cash drug proceeds, and she was arrested.

On Oct. 23, the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant at Carter's residence at 199 Lazy Road, based on further evidence that she continued to sell drugs. In her purse, officers found methamphetamine and marijuana packaged for sale, a scale, packaging materials and $3,631 drug proceeds. Detectives seized about 173 grams of methamphetamine.

Carter's offense is punishable by imprisonment of five to 40 years, a fine of up to $2 million, and a mandatory period of supervised release of at least four years.

Had these charges been pursued in Cowlitz County, state sentencing guidelines for delivery of methamphetamine in a school zone (the most serious charge stemming from the arrests) are 36 to 48 months in prison, based on an offender score of three. Carter has at least three previous felony convictions, according to Daily News archives.

The case was investigated by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force, the Longview Police Department, the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Sharon Carter. Photo courtesy of the state Department of Corrections.

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debbie penix wrote on Feb 6, 2008 1:53 PM:

" sharon--what are you thinking????????? "

felony wrote on Feb 7, 2008 9:15 AM:

" what was she thinking -money-getting someone high. who in there right mind would ever think she would go the second time not three but twice.dume dume
"

G-Man wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:27 PM:

" What does "dume" mean? "

dani wrote on Feb 7, 2008 11:51 PM:

" you make those of us who do try look stupid i wish prison on no one but your not stupid. sorry your life was aaaaahhhhh sad a lot of ours were stop playin the victim . stop boo frickin hooing and get over what you yourself did.be responsible for your own stuff.i'm sick of hearing about it.give some people that want help a chance "

hippie chick wrote on Feb 10, 2008 7:41 AM:

" Put her away for a LONG time and have her take all the other meth heads, crack whores and metal thieves with her. I've got no use for people like this.
And why should I have to take a pee test so I can work and pay taxes so people like her (on drugs) can receive state bennies??? Make the receipients of state monies take pee tests to be eligible for help!!! "

sniper wrote on Feb 10, 2008 7:59 AM:

" From the incoherent babble it looks like a few of you were her close friends. I have never met a tweaker that actually wanted help. They all act like they do so people will give them another chance to rob them blind. Show me a recovering meth addict and I'll show you someone who learned how to hide the sickness better. I dont see why anyone would even try meth seeing the effects. It's sad that our community is plagued by so many twitching, thieving parasites. It would be nice if it killed a lot faster so it could be legalized and you freaks could poisen yourselves to extinction. Problem is tweakers are like cockroaches. It doesn't matter how much drano you shoot, snort, or smoke, you just wont die. "

Lock her up!! wrote on Feb 10, 2008 5:13 PM:

" I'm glad that they're finally putting their foot down this time instead of giving her another slap on the wrist. I've noticed that happening A LOT with the Cowlitz County legal system. They catch the bad guys, say "naughty, naughty!" and release them in two days so they can go do it again. I agree with Hippie Chick: EVERYONE that qualifies for state aid should be REQUIRED to pass random drug tests to keep their benefits! I'm sure the state could save a lot of money and not have to give it to the tweakers if they'd enforce drug testing. Tweakers should all be shipped to some island somehwere and forgotten by everyone but God, who will exact judgement in His good time. Until then, we shouldn't have to deal with them! "

re:felony wrote on Feb 10, 2008 6:45 PM:

" it's dumb not dume,dumb dumb "

Hugh Jardon wrote on Feb 11, 2008 8:50 AM:

" That's unbelievable. Something needs to done to repeat criminals that reoffend this often. "

Whoa wrote on Feb 11, 2008 12:00 PM:

" To Sniper: I feel your words are both harsh and uncalled for. I'm sure you've been burnt a few times, but people who are or were meth addicts can change. I'm not saying all of them will or that you should give them multiple chances, I'm am saying don't count them all out. I used for a period in my life as did a lot of people in my family. We all have struggled but have over come the addiction. I am proud to say I have six years clean. Would I be even more proud to say I never used? Sure. But I learned a lot of things being on that side of the fence and I am greatful for all the lessons I have learned. You have a right to your opinion. I just wanted to state that I don't completely agree. Some will change because they have the desire to be better people. Some will never change and that is because they don't truly want to. I'm not defending this woman. She is wrong and deserves what she gets. I just wished she had had the desire to change before this happened. Too late. No sympathy. "

Mel Mel wrote on Feb 11, 2008 10:31 PM:

" I totally agree with hippy Chick and Lock her up! I know someone who has been busted with Meth, having illegal weapons, unattended hit and run and so on, so many times in one year, got arrested, slapped on the wrist and sent away to Des Moines for treatment by the judge, she did the same exact thing my son did, they (Judge, Prosecuting Attorneys) have no idea what the place up there is like, my son used to go there and it did not help him, he sneaked out of the window at night time and went over to Sea Tac mall and did dope, had sex, graduated from the program, got out and went right back to the garbage. I know so many of them do not make it and its sad, I feel so sorry for them. But we do not need this garbage as it does hurt our society. I just dont see the system being strict enough on this matter on a lot of them. This woman gets 40 yrs? This girl gets caught more than this woman and only gets a few months of treatment, no prison time, No wonder this is out of control. I can guarantee she will be back in jail soon. "

Gordon wrote on Feb 12, 2008 3:40 PM:

" this woman is a menace to society and needs to be removed from it. Sorrow is our own built in worse enemy that has been abused so often to make themselves look good in other peoples eyes and to prove to themselves they are a good person themselves by displaying their acts of forgiveness. supressing our sorrow for someone who deserves it is also a defencive move so someone does not have to get to involved with a victims suffering. on the other hand so many people and their children are still prey to the adverse effects of illegal drug activity after our judges have come to believe they have really done their part in solving the problem. everyone should to go to bed at night believing it is ok to punish the evil ones and protect our city and the people in it and direct their sorrow righteously towards the victims. they ought to feel good inside at the days end knowing they have done something worthy of being proud of. starting over and getting it right truely is what will restore everyones sanity. but it is still your choice! "

sniper wrote on Feb 12, 2008 7:29 PM:

" To whoa: Congrats you are one of the lucky 3%. I have no problem being burnt. Someone would be lucky to burn me a few times because i rarely leave myself open to it more than once or twice. My point of view comes from seeing the complete lack of care or concern tweakers have for anyone but themselves and thier drugs. No other drug takes such complete control of a person than meth. I watched my sister in law use while pregnant and breast feeding my niece. Thank good she has no effects as of yet. So congrats to you and anyone who is and can stay clean. I still believe the other 97% should burn in hell and would be happy to give them an express ticket if i didn't has family to look after "

Whoa wrote on Feb 13, 2008 8:04 AM:

" To Sniper: Thanks for the Congrats. And I mean that. I can understand your feelings towards tweakers. Really I can. I have seen it firsthand myself. It must have been very hard to watch that innocent baby be given drugs by her own mother. It's a shame. I agree that meth takes control of every aspect of your life. It's a very powerful drug. A very scary drug. People who have never witnessed this drug in action have no idea. They think the actions one makes while on meth are controllable. They are wrong. People make the concious choice to use meth and it is all over. There has to be something very strong to get them to overcome the addiction. For me... I got pregnant. My son is the greatest blessing I could have received. He saved my life, literally. "

Concerned wrote on Feb 13, 2008 5:28 PM:

" THIS TOWN IS FULL OF MEN AND WOMEN JUST LIKE HER! "

To Sniper wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:14 AM:

" Sniper:
I feel your pain and you express it deftly. There is so much irony in using meth and you do a great job alluding to those facts. I have a question; did your brother use? And did he stand by and do nothing for his child? "

??? wrote on Feb 14, 2008 2:17 PM:

" Everyone has complaints about the problem. Any on real solutions? If State money isn't given to the people that are abusing the system, then how are their kids going to eat. Some might say "take their kids away." That is happening on a daily basis. If 6 out of 10 are abusing the system, but it still allows 4 of 10 of the families an opportunity to get on their feet, feed their kids, and pay their bills until they get a job...then so be it. If you had a chance to do something or suggest something that could be done, what would it be? "

Darla wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:02 PM:

" As a substance abuse treatment provider, I realize sometimes jail is the only motivator to be amenable to treatment. We have better results when people have clean time and when probation or parole is involved. You can't force an addict to treatment. "

Darla wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:17 PM:

" As a substance abuse treatment provider, I realize sometimes jail is the only way to motivate someone to be amenable to treatment. Motivation is a key factor and we usually have better treatment results when probation and parole are involved. "

To: ??? wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:20 PM:

" A simple solution to HELP, not solve but HELP, this situation is to require those people getting help from the state to take a drug test. The people that fail do not get assistance and are monitered to ensure the children are getting what they need. The instant they are not they need to be pulled from the home. If they pass, the monies issued are probably being used legitimatly. A simple drug test. I used to be in the drug scene. You would be amazed at how many people use the cash the state gives them to purchase drugs. Also they like to sell the foodstamps at half price for cash to get drugs. Benifits both involved. Drugie is getting cash to support the habit and the person buying them is getting groceries for half the cost the would normally. Sickening. A drug test would solve part of the issue. "

re; Darla wrote on Feb 18, 2008 7:42 PM:

" if they dont want treatment lock them up for years and years and years and get them off the streets of Longview, and or give them a bus ticket out of town.....we have to many drug addicts moving into town - for recovery, then they stay - they they relaps - and our drug population goes up and up and up ...........get rid of them......treat them if we have to and send them home. "

Solution wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:46 PM:

" Although unpopular, one solution is to take law enforcement out of the equation. If the drugs were not illegal, the MASSIVE funding we put into the War on Drugs could be better used in the medical community and the community self-help organizations. Drug addicts have shown us, time and time again, that they will not clean up because they have committed a crime and we want them to. Drug addicts will continue to use despite law enforcement's best efforts. If law enforcement could focus on the actual crimes (theft, fraud and domestic crimes) that druggies most often commit, it would be easier to prosecute them and take a great financial weight off the taxpayer and law enforcement. The fact is that if someone got caught up in drugs, they could -without fear- talk to a medical professional, pastor, community advisor, etc. and get real fundamental help. Not the "help" that the probation office requires (endless/pointless meetings). I think Cowlitz County would be a good place to test the theory and see how many people would come forward to really get help after the stigma of criminal behavior is removed. It would also help the medical community who combat the effects of the drugs (that are unidentified by the user for fear of prosecution or stigma). Just My Opinion. "

sniper wrote on Feb 20, 2008 7:44 AM:

" My brother did not use but it took him a long while to wake up and realize that his loving wife was not "recovered" as she claimed "

DD wrote on Feb 20, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Lock her up. She obviously can not stop cooking up Meth. That is why Kelso/Longview are becoming Scum towns. "

granny wrote on Feb 23, 2008 5:05 AM:

" 3 times she needs locked up why is she getting out in the first place. only to cook more and ruin more peoples lives that she deals with. she needs a wake up call severely very disgusting shame on the courts for letting her out. maybe shes trying to make a big deal so she can get a book or movie about her. shes very stupid lock her up throw away the key send her western state physco ward "

RE: Concerned wrote on Feb 23, 2008 7:32 PM:

" This WORLD is full of people just like her! It's not just your town. Meth is a plague! "

Valerie wrote on Feb 23, 2008 11:19 PM:

" Married to a cocaine/meth addict for 5 years. Nothing can make them stop besides prison, at least not in a time frame that is reasonable. They care about one thing: getting high. They steal from their families and lie to everyone. I think they should donate thier organs to science. Even while they are still breathing. "

I knew her wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:49 PM:

" This is a bright intelligent women who I knew back when she "had it together". I slowly watched her fade away and sadly next I heard she didnt have her daughter and she was getting busted for stealing at Fred Meyer (her place of employment). How many chances does a person get? She basically just said '"screw you all I can do what I want" for years. I wondered how the heck she kept getting out and then kept getting busted. Sharon is not a dummy. She thinks she is better than or above everyone. I am glad she is going away. She needs help. Even though she been busted several times before this and has been in prison before. What do you do with someone that just snubs the law? She doesnt care, shes proved that more than once. Its sad. Sorry Sharon "

Gordon & Sherry Grasser wrote on Feb 24, 2008 6:55 PM:

" This is to all you judgmental and from the sounds of things, totally ignorant people who have not the slightest bit of knowledge of the word addiction. Most of you all probably have an addiction of one type or the other, be it prescription pills or alcohol or smoking pot or heroin or what have you. So before you go on passing judgment on her or anyone else, maybe you all should clean up your own lives as pathetic as they are in their own weak self serving ways. And I say that because if your lives had any meaning you would not have time to set and comment so negatively on someone else's! If your all so damn worried about the problems out on the streets then why don't anyone pay attention to getting some type of activity for our youth to give them something structured to teach them life skills. Like the skate park that the city of Kelso is trying so hard to give the axe to. "

To Gordon and Sherry! wrote on Feb 25, 2008 10:01 AM:

" NEWS FLASH!!! This is here for us to post our thoughts and comments. Don't like it don't look. "

Ally Spivey-Edmund wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:16 PM:

" Here is news flash to all of you that like to pass judgement on someonelse ..Jesus is the one who will do that very thing . And thank you Gordon & Sherry Grasser I really do think that this community really needs to do something about having some kind cool activity for all of our children .. I do know this stop the blaming and start helping .. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I DID KNOW OF HER BUT I DID NOT KNOW HER . MY PRAYS ARE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT JUST STRAIGHT HATE .Solider of Jesus 4 life "

To Ally Spivey-Edmund wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:42 AM:

" Thanks!! Really, thanks for the laugh. Been sittin here at work... and thought I'd check out good ol TDN... Your comment made me laugh. I'm actually still laughing. Keep on soldiering Sista!! (sarcasm) LOL LOL!! "

Sad wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:46 AM:

" Well, it's good to see the family and friends jumping up to say that none of us should be alarmed. She was a victim of addiction and we shouldn't pass judgement on her. Here's something for you to ponder, she wasn't just using...she was dealing. She was ruining other peoples lives, not just her own. She was causing other families to go through the same anguish and embarassment that you have all faced. I have no sympathy for her, nor should anyone else. I wonder how many collateral victims are out there because of the meth she was putting on the streets. How many people had property stolen so that one of her users could buy more? How many violent crimes were committed in our community by people high on the drugs she put on the streets? I can only hope she goes away for a long time and her treatment in prison is horific. Perhaps when she gets out she will have finally learned a lesson. "

To Sad wrote on Feb 27, 2008 1:12 PM:

" Very well stated. I second every ounce of your comment. "

happy wrote on Mar 1, 2008 11:37 PM:

" 13 years clean. you have to want to quit yourself, no one can help you but yourself!!!!!! "

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