An investigation conducted by the 14th Judicial District’s All Crimes Enforcement Team led to the arrest of a man accused of possessing and distributing 32 grams of methamphetamine on Wednesday, according to the affidavit for arrest.

Louis Marchman, 33, of Steamboat Springs, is charged with one count of unlawful distribution of meth and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the affidavit. 

Marchman is also charged with a special offender charge, which could enhance his penalties.

The All Crimes Enforcement Team, consisting of officers from the Routt and Moffat county sheriff’s offices and the Steamboat, Craig and Hayden police departments, aims to “target the illegal possession and distribution of controlled substances and other crimes associated with these activities,” according to the All Crimes Enforcement Team agreement and memorandum of understanding.

According to the affidavit, a Craig police investigator with the All Crimes Enforcement Team used his “undercover Instagram account” to communicate with Marchman in November 2024.

Marchman was suspected of allegedly possessing illegal drugs after he was involved in an overdose death in March 2024, says the affidavit.

The document states Marchman allegedly sent a message to the undercover investigator, saying that he had been sober because Steamboat Springs was “dry of (his) drug of choice.”

In February, the police investigator told Marchman he was “looking for a dependable person,” the affidavit states.

Marchman then allegedly told the undercover investigator he prefers meth to cocaine and had “the plug on that daily,” continues the document.

The conversation later continued over text messages after the investigator gave Marchman an undercover cell phone number.

In late February, Marchman allegedly agreed to sell the undercover investigator an “onion” of meth, which is a slang term for an ounce, states the affidavit.

The document adds that Marchman allegedly asked for $350 in exchange for the meth, but later raised the price to $375.

According to the affidavit, the Craig police investigator was granted a search warrant of Marchman’s residence shortly after he allegedly offered the drug deal.

After briefing other law enforcement officers on the bust, the Craig police investigator planned on attempting to meet Marchman at a park rather than his residence for the drug deal.

On Feb. 25, the undercover investigator asked Marchman to meet him at Stehley Park, the affidavit says.

The document states the investigator told Marchman to bring the “dope” to the park, but Marchman allegedly said, “I don’t do deals on the street like that.” The investigator then told Marchman that he was in a blue pickup truck.

When Marchman approached the truck, law enforcement officers “quickly” detained him, says the affidavit.

According to the document, Marchman was patted down but did not have any drugs on him at the time of the detainment.

During an interview with the investigator, Marchman allegedly “admitted that he had ‘a ball or two’ on his desk” in his residence, states the affidavit. A “ball” refers to ⅛ of an ounce.

Marchman also allegedly stated he did not have the entire ounce of meth that the investigator had intended to purchase.

While reaching Marchman’s residence, law enforcement officers allegedly found 32 grams of meth, as well as a digital scale, two glass meth bongs and “other miscellaneous drug paraphernailia,” states the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Marchman told law enforcement that he allegedly purchased the drugs from a “friend” for $280. Marchman also gave his phone to officers, allowing them to review communications with “plugs.”

The document further states that Marchman was not arrested the day of the search because he was cooperative with law enforcement. Officers collected the evidence and left Marchman’s residence. 

On May 28, the Craig police investigator texted Marchman to “see how he was doing,” states the affidavit.

Marchman allegedly told the investigator he was sober and had only been taking medications prescribed by his doctor, then asked him to meet in person.

According to the affidavit, the investigator checked Marchman’s phone and saw he had allegedly purchased meth since the day of the search in February, which “contradicted” his earlier statement.

Marchman had also allegedly sold drugs to another individual since February.

According to Routt County booking sheets, Marchman was arrested around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Marchman’s bond was set at $1,000 cash only by Routt County Judge Erin Wilson, according to the Routt County Combined Courts clerk’s office.

His next court appearance is scheduled for June 24.

Editor’s note: Every person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent unless and until their guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.