An Orcas Island woman who was carrying a syringe loaded with heroin in her brassiere at the time she was arrested for shoplifting will serve a 45-day sentence following a felony drug conviction.

On March 27, Rachelle Leanne Engelmann-Murray, 22, pleaded guilty in San Juan County Superior Court to one count of possession of heroin, a Class C felony. The 22-year-old was sentenced three days later and ordered to serve 45 days in jail and to pay $800 in fines and fees. A charge of third-degree theft was dismissed.

Under the sentenced handed down by Judge Don Eaton, she will be allowed to receive 45 days of in-patient drug treatment in lieu of jail. She will serve 12 months of probation after the sentence is completed.

According to court documents, Engelmann-Murray had about $285 in stolen merchandise in her possession when she was taken into custody March 11 near the ferry landing in Friday Harbor, shortly before noon. Several Friday Harbor shop owners had alerted authorities about the missing merchandise and that they believed the 22-year-old was responsible.

While in custody and prior to searching her person and possessions, Englemann-Murray reportedly acknowledged to deputies she had a sharp object in her clothing and turned over the drug-loaded syringe.

— Scott Rasmussen