David Owen Awberry of Great Falls, who admitted distributing methamphetamine as part of heroin and meth trafficking ring in the community, was sentenced in federal court in Great Falls on Thursday.
Awberry, 31 years old, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided, and sentenced Awberry to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said in a press release. Aweberry was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The prosecution said in court records that in September 2018, the Russell Country Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a meth and heroin distribution ring in Great Falls. Agents learned that Awberry redistributed meth and heroin for the group, which included co-defendants Anthony Beltran and Jacqueline Kirkaldie.
Beltran, who got a large quantity of meth and heroin from a source in California, used numerous individuals, including Awberry, to redistribute the drugs. In March 2019, detectives spoke to a person who said he got his meth from Awberry. In addition, detectives saw a photograph on Awberry’s Facebook account showing him holding a large amount of cash with the word “dope” at the bottom of the picture.
Detectives arrested Awberry in April and searched his home. Awberry admitted he sold drugs, including meth, but declined to identify his source. Detectives found thousands of dollars in cash in his home and confirmed the money was from drug sales.
Kirkaldie was convicted in the case and sentenced to more than 11 years in prison. Beltran has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
OCTOBER 3, 2019:
Great Falls woman sentenced on meth and heroin charges
