Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula on April 7, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, CHRISTOPHER THOMAS FRALEIGH, a 25-year-old resident of Kalispell, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing is set for July 10, 2009. He is currently released on special conditions.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

During 2007, FRALEIGH and several other individuals moved numerous pounds of methamphetamine from Spokane, Washington, to Montana, primarily in the Flathead and Lincoln Counties area. The primary source of supply distributed methamphetamine to most of the individuals, including FRALEIGH.

This group of individuals initially moved ounce quantities and graduated to pound quantities before dismantling. The group used rental cars to transport the methamphetamine, used motel rooms as meeting places, and used runners at times to transport the methamphetamine. FRALEIGH'S rented mobile home in Kalispell was also used as a meeting and dealing location.

FRALEIGH was interviewed twice regarding his involvement with this group, on August 5, 2008, and February 24, 2009. During these interviews FRALEIGH admitted his involvement with trafficking methamphetamine.

FRALEIGH faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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