LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – Judge Ryan Esplin chose leniency rather than incarceration after saying it was a “borderline call” in a Lake Havasu City woman’s drug case.
Kira Fiscella, 40, and Robert Butler, 43, also of Lake Havasu, were arrested when Lake Havasu police officers seized almost 31 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle they occupied following an Aug. 4 traffic stop on Highway 95 near Retail Centre Blvd.
A police dog alerted on the Ford Explorer and drug was found inside a magnetic box. Some 30.8 grams of meth was discovered concealed under Fiscella’s breast when she was searched during the booking process at the police department jail.
A police report indicated that Fiscella told police she traveled to Bullhead City to buy drugs every six weeks or so. She also admitted that she and Butler had returned from Bullhead City after she purchased about an ounce of meth for $310.
“She’s not a big time drug dealer,” legal defender Ron Gilleo said during Fiscella’s Sept. 24 sentencing hearing. “She’s an addict. She’s been an addict for quite some time.”
Fiscella said her downward spiral began a decade ago when she was homeless, shoplifted and ended up in prison. “I’ve learned a lot in those 10 years and I really don’t want to go back to prison.”
“If you don’t want to go to prison, then why did you do it?” asked Esplin.
“I wanted to get high,” she responded.
“Don’t sell drugs. I don’t want to see that,” Esplin said. “You are affecting other people who get addicted.”
Judge Esplin credited Fiscella for 50 days spent in custody, and ordered no further jail time. He placed her on probation for four years.
The court system data base indicates co-defendant Butler will soon enter a plea agreement.
