Matthew Shrull Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on January 21, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, MATTHEW SHRULL, a 23-year-old resident of Albany, Oregon, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Sentencing has been set for April 29, 2011. He is currently released on special conditions.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
SHRULL and Connor O'Callaghan sold cocaine in and around the Missoula area from approximately May of 2009 through February of 2010 by obtaining the cocaine through various trips to Oregon and Washington states.
On January 27, 2010, SHRULL was interviewed and advised law enforcement agents about traveling to Seattle, Washington approximately 4-5 times between May 2009 and December 2009 with O'Callaghan and C.B. and purchasing 8 ounces, 10 ounces 12 ounces, and 18 ounces (48 ounces total) of cocaine respectively on each Seattle trip. He estimated he distributed 2-3 "8 balls" of cocaine and approximately 20 ecstasy pills in the Missoula area.
On February 25, 2010, SHRULL was again interviewed and stated that on February 12, 2010, he and O'Callaghan had pooled approximately $2,350 and drove to Portland, Oregon where they obtained approximately 2 ounces of cocaine. SHRULL and O'Callaghan used some of the cocaine and returned to Missoula on February 16, 2010, with 13/4 ounces of cocaine that they collectively distributed to various individuals.
On February 19, 2010, SHRULL and O'Callaghan drove to Salem, Oregon where they obtained approximately 13/4 ounces of cocaine. They returned to Missoula and distributed the cocaine.
In addition, law enforcement agents purchased 1 ounce of cocaine from SHRULL in February of 2010.
O'Callaghan pled guilty to federal charges and is awaiting sentencing.
SHRULL faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least 4 years supervised release.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.
A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
