The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on June 2, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, BRANDON LEE MAIN, a 31-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared for sentencing. MAIN was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 110 months

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 5 years

MAIN was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

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:

Beginning in approximately January 2009 and ending in July 2009, MAIN and other individuals purchased and distributed in excess of 500 grams of cocaine throughout Montana, including Missoula, Cascade, and Flathead Counties.

The following witnesses would have testified at trial as follows:

A confidential source, identified here as CS #1 would have testified that s/he sold approximately seven ounces of cocaine to MAIN and another individual, R.P.

CS #2 would have testified that s/he went to Washington at the request of MAIN and R.P. on two occasions and purchased nine ounces of cocaine and six ounces of cocaine, respectively. The first nine ounce purchase was "cut" and made into 16 ounces for redistribution. The cocaine was paid for and delivered to MAIN and R.P..

CS #3 would have testified that s/he observed MAIN purchase approximately two ounces of cocaine from a source of supply in Missoula and that s/he became aware of an additional 10 ounces that were purchased from this same source of supply.

CS #4 would have testified that s/he purchased cocaine from MAIN and R.P. approximately 10-20 times, usually in gram quantities.

Law Enforcement witnesses would have testified that three controlled purchases by an undercover agent resulted in the purchase of 14.6 grams of cocaine from MAIN.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that MAIN will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, MAIN does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Montana Drug Task Force.

 

 

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