Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed into law a bill that would add harsher minimum prison sentences for anyone convicted for possession of fentanyl.
Under law, anyone arrested with at least 4 grams to 13 grams of fentanyl or any mixture of substances containing a detectable amount of the drug would be guilty of a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of $10,000. If the fentanyl is in pill form, it would take between 100 and 250 pills to get that sentence.
For those with between 14 grams and 28 grams or at least 250 pills, the sentence would be at least five years and $15,000. For 28 grams or more or 500-plus pills, the minimum sentence would be 10 years and a $25,000 fine.
No parole would be offered to those serving the minimum sentences.
A second conviction would result in a minimum sentence of twice what would be required under the law.
The bill also creates a new crime of “drug-induced homicide,” which would hold someone accountable for giving someone an illegal drug and that person dies. The crime would be punishable by up to life in prison.
