Local attorney pleads not guilty to drug charges
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Former Jefferson Prosecuting Attorney Robin Dunn pled not guilty to the four charges against him.
Dunn is charged with a felony for possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl) and three misdemeanors for possession of a controlled substance (Xanax), drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer.
Dunn could be facing up to 10 years in prison and $18,000 in fines. The felony charge could result in seven years in jail and/or a $15,000 fine. The misdemeanor charges could result in a total of three years in jail and/or a total of $3,000 in fines.
According to the Probable Cause Affadavit, an officer responded to a call on February 18 for a possible DUI and drug use at Shari's Restaurant in Idaho Falls. A male and female were in a black Audi. The two were identified as Vivian Exler and Robin Dunn.
Court records show Exler is facing drug charges in Madison County. Dunn was her attorney in that case.
The Affadavit goes on to say signs of drugs were noticed in the vehicle. A K-9 officer arrived on scene to conduct a free-air sniff around the vehicle.
As the K-9 worked its way to the passenger side, Dunn opened his door. The officer instructed Dunn to close the door and tried to close it, but Dunn's leg was holding it open.
As a current defense attorney, Dunn would know that during the sniff test, the K-9 cannot break the threshold of entering any part of their body inside the vehicle. The opened door could have made the K-9 break the threshold, but it did not. The K-9 picked up the presence of illegal drugs.
During the arrest, drugs were found on Dunn's body.
Dunn's bail was set a $30,000 and was posted.
His trial is set for October 31, 2023.
Court records show Judge Bruce Pickett from Bonneville County was assigned, but on May 4 he issued an order to voluntarily disqualify himself from the case. Judge Rick Carnaroli from Pocatello is now presiding over the case.
