Christopher Thomas Fraleigh Sentenced in U.S. District Court
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula, on July 10, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, CHRISTOPHER THOMAS FRALEIGH, a 25-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared for sentencing. FRALEIGH was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 120 months
- Special Assessment: $100
- Supervised Release: 5 years
FRALEIGH was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
During 2007, FRALEIGH and several other individuals moved numerous pounds of methamphetamine from Spokane, Washington, to Montana, primarily in the Flathead and Lincoln Counties area. The primary source of supply distributed methamphetamine to most of the individuals, including FRALEIGH.
This group of individuals initially moved ounce quantities and graduated to pound quantities before dismantling. The group used rental cars to transport the methamphetamine, used motel rooms as meeting places, and used runners at times to transport the methamphetamine. FRALEIGH'S rented mobile home in Kalispell was also used as a meeting and dealing location.
FRALEIGH was interviewed twice regarding his involvement with this group, on August 5, 2008, and February 24, 2009. During these interviews FRALEIGH admitted his involvement with trafficking methamphetamine.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that FRALEIGH will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, FRALEIGH 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
