Connor O�callaghan Pleads Guilty in U.S. Federal Court
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on January 14, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, CONNOR O'CALLAGHAN, a 19-year-old resident of Wichita, Kansas, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Sentencing has been set for April 21, 2011.
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:
O'CALLAGHAN and another individual sold cocaine in and around the Missoula area from approximately May of 2009 through February of 2010 by obtaining the cocaine through various trips to Oregon and Washington.
On or about February 12, 2010 O'CALLAGHAN and Shrull had pooled approximately $2,350 and drove to Portland, Oregon. While in Portland, they obtained approximately 2 ounces of cocaine. O'CALLAGHAN and the other individual used some of the cocaine and returned to Missoula on February 16, 2010, with 13/4 ounces of cocaine that they collectively distributed to various individuals.
On February 19, 2010, O'CALLAGHAN and the other individual drove to Salem, Oregon where they obtained approximately 13/4 ounces of cocaine. They returned to Missoula on February 23, 2010, and distributed the cocaine to various individuals.
On February 25, 2010, O'CALLAGHAN was interviewed and admitted to law enforcement agents about the purchase of approximately four ounces of cocaine in Oregon for distribution in Missoula. O'CALLAGHAN also stated that during November 2009 and December 2009 he made two trips to Seattle, Washington with C.B. to pick up 12 ounces and 18 ounces of cocaine respectively. O'CALLAGHAN further stated he made a trip to Salem, Oregon with C.B. and the other individual in December 2009, and obtained 500 ecstasy pills in Salem and 6-8 ounces of cocaine in Seattle. O'CALLAGHAN estimated he had received two ounces of cocaine from C.B. and 200-300 ecstasy pills.
O'CALLAGHAN faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least 4 years supervised release.
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.
