The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on January 26, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, GARY JAMES LAMERE, a 64-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared for sentencing. LAMERE was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 120 months

Special Assessment: $200

Supervised Release: 4 years

LAMERE was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime or in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

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

On March 10, 2011, a confidential source (CS) advised a member of the Central Montana Drug Task Force (CMDTF) that LAMERE was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine.

At the request of an agent, the CS contacted LAMERE and stated the CS wished to purchase some methamphetamine from LAMERE. LAMERE agreed to deliver the drug to the CS.

Early on the morning of March 11, 2011, LAMERE arrived at the CS' residence. LAMERE was carrying a nylon bag. LAMERE was detained by agents of the CMDTF. The agents asked if LAMERE had any weapons. LAMERE replied that he had a gun in the nylon bag.

The agents searched the bag and recovered a Taurus .45 caliber pistol. Although the pistol was unloaded, the bag also included a magazine containing .45 caliber rounds of ammunition. The firearm and the magazine were readily accessible and could have been used by the bearer of the bag to protect himself and the contents of the bag.

Two black pouches were also within the nylon bag. One pouch contained a plastic bag with an amount of methamphetamine. Collectively, the plastic bag and methamphetamine weighed approximately 34 grams. The other pouch contained over $6,000 in U.S. currency.

A Drug Enforcement Administration chemist examined the methamphetamine seized and concluded the substance contained in excess of five grams actual (pure) methamphetamine.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that LAMERE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, LAMERE 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 Central Montana Drug Task Force, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations.

 

 

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