Former Prosser paraeducator sentenced for 2K fentanyl pills, half pound of meth
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- Former Prosser paraeducator pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver narcotics
- Search found 2,000+ fentanyl pills and over half‑pound of meth
- Prosecutors sought max one‑year sentence with option of work release
A former Prosser paraeducator is facing a year in jail after being caught with thousands of fentanyl pills and a half pound of methamphetamine.
Amy M. Buxton, 45, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Benton County Superior Court to conspiracy to deliver narcotics. The felony carried up to a year in jail.
Public records show she has no previous arrests, just a driving offense
Prosecutors asked for her to face the maximum sentence with the option of work release.
Buxton, who had been a paraeducator with Prosser School District for nearly a decade, has been out of work following an internal investigation by the district, Superintendent Kim Casey told the Tri-City Herald.
Defense attorney Nicholas Jones agreed with the resolution. He said Buxton is still searching for work, and was hoping to find something before May 5 when she is scheduled to appear in court.
Judge Jackie Shea Brown agreed with the move, contingent upon Buxton finding a job.
Her conspirator, Jesse Gonsalez, 45, continues to face charges for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture or deliver.
Buxton has been in trouble since investigators discovered more than 2,000 fentanyl pills and more than half a pound of meth in her home during a March 6 search, according to court documents.
Deputies began investigating a Johnson Road property near Prosser after finding a stolen car near the home. Buxton and Gonsalez told investigators that they lived at the home.
As investigators were watching, they saw Gonsalez interacting with the stolen car.
Investigators believed several of the items taken from the stolen car could be inside the home, including a gun, so they received a search warrant and went inside.
They said they discovered “large quantities” of drugs sitting in plain view, including a large metal pan in the kitchen with what appeared to be meth.
After getting an amended search warrant to look for drugs, deputies reported finding more than 2,000 fentanyl pills, more than half a pound of meth and four scales. Some of the meth had already been divided up to be sold, said the documents.
Inside the master bedroom, police found a large bag in a dresser with a substantial number of fentanyl pills, small baggies of meth and other drug paraphernalia. They found the bag with drugs in a dresser with her clothing, said the documents.
In another part of the house, police found syringes with small amounts of heroin and several small jars containing meth.