COEUR D’ALENE, ID – A Spokane man has been sentenced to prison after being convicted in two separate jury trials earlier this year for drug trafficking and eluding law enforcement, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Eric Ramon Buchanan, 51, was convicted of Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine, and Eluding a Peace Officer stemming from incidents in 2023. The convictions followed trials in April and May of 2025.

The case began on February 24, 2023, when undercover officers purchased cocaine from a woman in a downtown Coeur d’Alene bar. Investigators later determined that Buchanan had supplied the cocaine to the woman shortly before the sale.

On April 14, 2023, officers attempted to pull Buchanan over during a traffic stop, but he refused to stop and led them on a pursuit. Authorities said Buchanan sped, passed other vehicles, and drove into oncoming traffic before abandoning his vehicle on a dead-end street. He was arrested nearby a short time later.

A drug detection K9 alerted to Buchanan’s vehicle, indicating the recent presence of illegal drugs, though none were found inside.

Buchanan was sentenced on October 28, 2025, by District Judge Lamont Berecz to a unified 15-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after five years.

Because of multiple prior felony convictions—including for selling cocaine, drug possession, and DUI offenses—Buchanan was also deemed a Persistent Violator, an enhancement that allows for extended prison terms.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Molly Nivison had recommended a 25-year sentence with parole eligibility after 10 years.

Prosecuting Attorney Stanley T. Mortensen commended Nivison, Criminal Chief Deputy Laura McClinton, and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department for their work on the case.