Zinke sister faces drug accusation

BILLINGS (AP) — The younger sister of Montana U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke was arrested after officers found methamphetamine in a vehicle during a northeastern Montana traffic stop.

Dahra L. Zinke of Kalispell was arrested Monday.

She appeared before Justice of the Peace Penny Hendrickson in Culbertson on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child in the car. She posted a $1,170 bond.

Hendrickson said Thursday that Dahra Zinke requested a public defender. Her next hearing won’t be set until she has an attorney.  

The driver — 19-year-old Nicodemus A. Kupka of Watford City, North Dakota — was charged with criminal possession of methamphetamine.

Rep. Zinke, who is from Whitefish, told The Billings Gazette he was keeping Dahra and her family in his prayers.