San Juan Island siblings face trial on felony drug charges

Two San Juan Island siblings accused of trying to buy 1,000 tablets of prescription painkillers from a supposed drug dealer and of intending to later peddle those pills will stand trial on felony drug charges early next year.

Two San Juan Island siblings accused of trying to buy 1,000 tablets of prescription painkillers from a supposed drug dealer and of intending to later peddle those pills will stand trial on felony drug charges early next year.

On Nov. 4, Chelsea Rogers, 21, and Jesse Rogers, 23, each pleaded innocent in San Juan County Superior Court to one count of attempting to obtain a controlled substance — Oxyocodone — with intent to deliver, a Class B felony. Jesse Rogers also pleaded innocent to one count of possession of a dangerous weapon, a gross misdemeanor, at an arraignment hearing late last week.

Both were released on $5,000 bail, pending trial, following last week’s preliminary hearing.

According to court documents, Chelsea Rogers became the target of an undercover sting after the Seattle Police Department’s drug enforcement task force was alerted that a San Juan woman was looking to buy a large quantity of Oxycodone. That tip came from an informant, who, according to court documents, later agreed to play the role of a drug supplier as part of the sting.

Authorities contend Rogers agreed to pay $15 apiece for each 30-milligram tablet and that she and the informant planned to meet in Friday Harbor to swap cash for drugs. The Rogers were arrested near the ferry terminal Nov. 1 as local and federal officers converged on the supposed drug deal. They were reportedly carrying $15,000 cash at the time. Jesse Rogers allegedly had a set of “metal knuckles” with him as well.

The two are slated to stand trial Jan. 23.

A Class B felony, attempting to obtain a controlled substance carries maximum penalties of 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both; however the standard range of sentencing set by the state is 12-20 months in prison.