Dallas Edward Howard, Jr. Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 20, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, DALLAS EDWARD HOWARD, JR., a 52-year-old resident of Poplar, pled guilty to manufacture of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of public housing. Sentencing has been set for January 20, 2011. He is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
In August of 2009, the Big Muddy River Drug Task Force began to investigate claims that HOWARD was manufacturing methamphetamine. The task force obtained pseudoephedrine logs maintained by local pharmacies. HOWARD's name appeared on the logs as a regular purchaser of the drug. The task force also obtained witness statements that HOWARD was manufacturing methamphetamine and that HOWARD had sustained serious burns on his body in May of 2009 from attempting to manufacture methamphetamine. Medical reports obtained from the hospital in Wolf Point confirmed that HOWARD had sustained burns on his body in May of 2009.
On August 30, 2009, the task force executed a search warrant on HOWARD's residence in Frazier, which is within the exterior boundaries of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. HOWARD's residence was located within 1,000 feet of public housing owned and maintained by the Fort Peck Tribe. The task force discovered an active methamphetamine lab. HOWARD was present when the task force executed the search warrant. The task force found jars and cooking pots in HOWARD's kitchen containing unknown liquids. Laboratory tests returned positive results of methamphetamine and other chemical agents used to produce methamphetamine from the jars and pots collected from HOWARD's kitchen. The task force also discovered a small amount of finished methamphetamine, as well as pseudoephedrine.
HOWARD faces possible penalties of 40 years in prison, a $2,000,000 fine and 6 years supervised release.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Big Muddy River Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
