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GREAT FALLS – A man from Le Havre accused of supplying large amounts of methamphetamine to individuals on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation pleaded guilty to a crime of trafficking today, Acting US Prosecutor Leif Johnson said.
Clayton Cree Morsette, 23, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Morsette faces at least 10 years in life, a fine of $ 10 million and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Chief District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Justice Morris set the sentence for August 5 and ordered Morsette’s detention.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in 2019 law enforcement officers learned from people that co-accused Kristina Russette, from Washington, and her boyfriend, Morsette, had worked together. to distribute methamphetamine from the Spokane area to Rocky Boy’s. Reservation. Additionally, in May 2020, Russette was driving a vehicle stopped in Washington for traffic violations. Morsette was a passenger. During a search of the vehicle, officers found several bags containing approximately 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine. Morsette told an officer that he and Russette picked up these drugs in Spokane and some were destined for Montana.
Several other people told law enforcement that Morsette was a long-time supplier of large amounts of methamphetamine to people on and around the Rocky Boy reservation and described him as working with Russette. Morsette admitted working with Russette to distribute methamphetamine, made several trips to bring ounces of methamphetamine to the reserve, and brought a pound of meth on a trip in March or February 2020. Russette pleaded guilty in the case. case and awaits conviction.
Deputy U.S. Attorney Ethan Plaut is pursuing the case, which has been investigated by the FBI, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, Bureau of Indian Affairs , the Kalispel Tribe Public Safety Department in Washington, and the Airway Heights Police Department in Washington.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a US Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through the PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana are focusing on violent crimes caused by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, gun offenses, and crime. violent offenders with pending warrants.
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