The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula on August 5, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, DAVID PALUMBO, a 23-year-old resident of Evans, Washington, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Sentencing has been set for November 5, 2010. He is currently detained.

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 December 5, 2009, PALUMBO, B.S., and R.H. were traveling in a vehicle in Flathead County purported for B.S. and R.H. to purchase cocaine from PALUMBO, however, they were actually setting him up for a robbery. B.S. stated he observed PALUMBO to have a large quantity of cocaine in a bag inside the vehicle they were traveling in. While all three were enroute to a residence where the "distribution of cocaine" was to take place, B.S. attempted to steal the cocaine from PALUMBO. B.S. and PALUMBO each presented firearms during the course of the robbery and fired them. B.S. was shot by PALUMBO multiple times and hospitalized. PALUMBO was not shot and escaped by foot with the cocaine.

The amount of cocaine at issue was between 200 and 300 grams.

PALUMBO faces possible penalties of a 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and at least 3 years supervised release. In addition, PALUMBO faces an additional mandatory five year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

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

 

 

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