Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Helena on April 15, 2009, before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell, CHARLES BERNARD PARKE, a 40-year-old resident of Butte, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. Sentencing is set for September 15, 2009. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On October 23, 2008, Butte Police officers were looking for PARKE in order to arrest him for an outstanding warrant for a violation of his state probation. Acting on a tip, they went to a residence where PARKE was believed to be hiding.

The officers observed PARKE in the vicinity of the residence. Although he began to run, officers eventually caught up to him. Just as they did, PARKE threw away a bag. The bag contained over three hundred grams of suspected methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana. The amount of methamphetamine was consistent with the amount one would possess for purposes of distribution, rather than simple use.

When PARKE was searched, officers recovered a small bag of methamphetamine and four bags of marijuana packaged for sale.

PARKE faces possible penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and at least 8 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Agency.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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