The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on October 21, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, DELORES CARR STRATTON, a 48-year-old resident of Huson, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for January 26, 2012. She is currently released on special conditions.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Montana Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents, and agents of the Northwest Drug Task Force (NWDTF), conducted an extensive investigation of individuals involved in trafficking methamphetamine in western Montana between February 2009 and August 2010. STRATTON was identified as being involved in this conspiracy.

NWDTF agents conducted and monitored a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from STRATTON on February 9, 2009. With the assistance of a confidential informant, NWDTF agents purchased approximately two grams of methamphetamine from STRATTON.

The methamphetamine purchased from STRATTON was subsequently submitted to the Montana State Crime Lab for testing. The substance purchased from STRATTON tested positive for methamphetamine.

Co-conspirator 1, who is identified as being the main supplier of methamphetamine in this conspiracy, would testify that STRATTON introduced co-conspirator 1 to numerous individuals in Kalispell and on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine. Other co-conspirators would testify and corroborate this fact: that STRATTON introduced co-conspirator 1, who was transporting the methamphetamine from Washington to Montana, to individuals in Montana to distribute for co-conspirator 1.

STRATTON voluntarily agreed to be interviewed by NWDTF agents during this investigation and admitted that she had introduced individuals to co-conspirator 1 to be involved in distributing methamphetamine in Montana. STRATTON also admitted to meeting with co-conspirator 1 on two occasions during the fall of 2009, at hotels near Kalispell where she purchased methamphetamine from co-conspirator 1.

STRATTON faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation and the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force.

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

 

 

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