Twyla Dawn Basil, a 46-year-old resident of Bonners Ferry, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that led to serious bodily injury and death. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye mandated that Basil pay restitution to the victim's family and serve an additional three years of supervised release following her prison term.
The case stems from an incident on October 28, 2022, when an inmate at the Boundary County Jail was found unconscious and later died despite medical efforts. A toxicology report confirmed a lethal dose of fentanyl in her system, leading the coroner to rule it as a fentanyl overdose.
An investigation revealed that Basil had provided the victim with fentanyl smuggled into the jail after being arrested for driving under the influence of the drug. Fentanyl is known to be significantly stronger than morphine and is often linked to illegal drug markets rather than legitimate prescriptions.
Idaho has experienced a surge in illicit fentanyl pills resembling prescription medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone. These are typically produced by criminal networks and sometimes distributed as powder mixed with other drugs.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit emphasized, "No matter the location or the circumstances, any fentanyl-caused death is an intolerable tragedy." He noted ongoing efforts to train law enforcement in investigating such cases while expressing determination to combat fentanyl-related issues.
Captain Paul Berger of Idaho State Police highlighted the need for collaboration between agencies: "This case underscores the tragic consequences of fentanyl trafficking... Together, we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who bring this deadly substance into our state."
The investigation was conducted by Idaho State Police alongside North Idaho Narcotics Enforcement (NINE) Taskforce, which includes multiple law enforcement agencies working against drug trafficking in North Idaho. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Ellsworth prosecuted the case.