Pocatello man already facing numerous felony charges arrested on drug, gun crimes

POCATELLO — A man police say was found in possession of fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and tools used in the distribution of drugs faces numerous charges.

Brandon Michael Hoover, 25, has been charged with felonies for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver, court records show. He also faces misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and violating a no-contact order.

May 21

Officers responded to reports of a disturbance at a home on Taekwood Street in Pocatello, according to an affidavit of probable cause. The victim told officers Hoover hit her in the back with a baseball bat.

While investigating the disturbance, the officers found cause to obtain a search warrant for the home.

According to the affidavit, before serving the warrant, officers watched several “short-duration” stops at the home made by people known to the officers to be involved in the purchase and sale of drugs.

While searching the home, they found a Ruger rifle and 64 pills that were “consistent” with fentanyl-laced dirty 30s. In the same bedroom where the gun and suspected drugs were found, officers found Hoover’s birth certificate and a “large amount” of clear plastic baggies similar to those used in the distribution of drugs.

In other rooms of the house, officers found two digital scales, at least one of which had a white powdery residue on it, a piece of burnt foil near two fentanyl pills and $1,340 cash.

Police reports do not indicate when the warrant was executed, but charges related to this search were not filed until June 17.

June 17

While on patrol near Benton and Main streets in Pocatello, a Bannock County Sheriff’s deputy performed a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima after a search of the license plate number showed the registered owner had a suspended license, according to an affidavit.

When the deputy approached the vehicle, he saw “in plain view” a tooter straw — often used to ingest drugs — near Hoover, the front seat passenger.

As the officer removed Hoover from the vehicle, the affidavit says, he saw the driver shove something down the front of her pants.

During a search, the driver informed the deputy that she had stuffed fentanyl pills into her underwear.

Assisting officers, who arrived at the scene during the search, learned the driver was the petitioner in a no-contact order against Hoover.

While Hoover was searched, the deputy found around $1,200.

Inside the vehicle, on the passenger-side floorboard, officers found a backpack containing a partially used roll of tinfoil, a small baggie containing suspected methamphetamine and additional empty baggies.

Officers also found drug paraphernalia, including a scale, around 50 clear baggies and numerous smoking devices, inside the car. Some of the paraphernalia was found inside a bag which also contained a receipt with Hoover’s name on it.

The deputy attempted to question Hoover, but he refused, the affidavit says. He was instead taken to Bannock County Jail, where he was booked and is being held on separate bonds of $500,000 and $75,000.

Hoover is already set for jury trial before District Judge Javier Gabiola on Aug. 5 for numerous other charges including meth trafficking.

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Though Hoover has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

If he is found guilty, Hoover would face up to life in prison.

A preliminary hearing was waived on June 25. Another court hearing has been set for Monday afternoon.