Sam Freeman Young Sentenced in U.S. District Court
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, SAM FREEMAN YOUNG, a 48-year-old resident of Flathead County, appeared for sentencing. YOUNG was sentenced to a term of:
Prison: 30 months
Special Assessment: $200
Supervised Release: 3 years
YOUNG was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to sale of a firearm to a prohibited person and distribution of a controlled substance.
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:
On November 28, 2007, a confidential ATF informant (CI) and an undercover officer (UC), went to YOUNG's house. The CI bought a .22 caliber pistol from YOUNG for $325. Prior to the purchase, the CI informed YOUNG that he (the CI) was a convicted felon and wasn't allowed to have a firearm. YOUNG stated that this was not a problem and sold the CI the firearm nonetheless.
On March 28, 2008, the CI was visiting YOUNG's home. YOUNG said that he was hard up for cash and wanted to sell the CI some pills. The CI said that he would have to go and see if he could round up some money. The CI contacted the ATF investigation team he had been working with and informed them of this conversation. ATF decided to organize a controlled buy for a few days later. However, when the CI returned to YOUNG's home to say he would purchase the pills at a later date, YOUNG pressed the pills upon him and said that the CI could pay him later. The CI was given 32 Hydrocodone pills for $150, which YOUNG said could be paid for at their next meeting.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that YOUNG will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, YOUNG 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 conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
