The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on August 26, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, THOMAS JOSEPH ROEBER, a 31-year-old resident of Helena, appeared for sentencing. ROEBER was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 40 months

• Special Assessment: $100

• Supervised Release: 3 years

ROEBER was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to distribution of methamphetamine.

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 February 10, 2010, members of the Tri Agency Safe Trails Task Force (hereafter the "task force") were investigating the distribution of methamphetamine in Havre. A confidential informant assisted the agents in their investigation.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. on February 10, 2010, the informant went to a motel room in Havre. There, the informant purchased approximately eight grams of purported methamphetamine from ROEBER for $700.

The informant provided the purported methamphetamine to agents of the task force. A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chemist weighed and analyzed the purported methamphetamine. She concluded the substance in question had a net weight of eight grams and that the substance contained a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that ROEBER will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, ROEBER 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 Tri Agency Safe Trails Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

 

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