The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on February 8, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, DONNA LEE BIGLEGGINS, a 35-year-old resident of Wolf Point, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for May 10, 2012. She 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:

BIGLEGGINS was identified as a conspirator in an illegal methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Special Agents and Fort Peck Tribal Officers - via the use of a confidential informant (CI) - conducted and documented eight controlled purchases of methamphetamine from BIGLEGGINS on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. BIA Agents monitored all of the transactions.

The first controlled purchase occurred on May 8, 2010. The CI purchased three bindles of methamphetamine from BIGLEGGINS in the parking lot of a gas station in Wolf Point, on the Fort Peck Reservation. The CI purchased approximately .098 grams of methamphetamine for $180 from BIGLEGGINS while in her car in the gas station's parking lot.

The second controlled purchase occurred on May 9, 2010. The CI purchased approximately .079 grams of methamphetamine from BIGLEGGINS for $120. This transaction occurred, again, in the parking lot of the same gas station in Wolf Point. The CI purchased the methamphetamine while sitting in BIGLEGGINS's car with her in the parking lot.

The third controlled purchase was conducted on May 13, 2010. This transaction with the CI occurred at BIGLEGGINS's home in Wolf Point. The CI went inside of BIGLEGGINS' house and purchased approximately .15 grams of methamphetamine for $240.

The fourth controlled purchase was conducted on May 17, 2010. This transaction occurred at BIGLEGGINS's home also. The CI purchased approximately .06 grams of methamphetamine for $240. Co-defendant Angie Grandchamp was also present during this transaction. The CI purchased the methamphetamine from BIGLEGGINS in her house with Grandchamp present.

The fifth controlled purchase was conducted on June 22, 2010. Grandchamp sold the CI approximately .051 grams of methamphetamine for $300 at a convenience store in Poplar. The CI met Grandchamp at her vehicle, along with BIGLEGGINS, who was also present during this transaction.

The sixth controlled purchase was conducted on June 24, 2010. The CI purchased approximately .051 grams of methamphetamine for $180 from both BIGLEGGINS and Grandchamp. This transaction occurred inside BIGLEGGINS' vehicle, while parked outside of her home.

The seventh controlled purchase occurred on July 16, 2010. The CI purchased approximately .29 grams of methamphetamine for $300 from BIGLEGGINS at her home.

The eighth controlled purchase was conducted on July 19, 2010. The CI purchased approximately .28 grams of methamphetamine from BIGLEGGINS for $300 her house.

The crystalline substances purchased from BIGLEGGINS were subsequently submitted to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory for testing. The substances purchased from BIGLEGGINS tested positive for methamphetamine.

Following her arrest on December 28, 2010, BIGLEGGINS was interviewed and admitted that she sold methamphetamine with Angie Grandchamp. She admitted that the two of them would purchase their methamphetamine from various sources - on the Fort Peck Reservation, or in Havre, and Billings. She said they purchased methamphetamine and then sold it to support their use habit. They would usually sell about half of what they purchased, always selling to individuals on the Fort Peck Reservation. BIGLEGGINS said she sold methamphetamine with Grandchamp for six months. She said they often went to suppliers together, and Grandchamp would often negotiate the deals, and purchases of methamphetamine.

BIGLEGGINS told agents they purchased methamphetamine from their main supplier for six months, several times a week, usually "five to six papers" at a time, totaling around three ounces purchased. She also told agents that they purchased methamphetamine from other local individuals as well. BIGLEGGINS admitted to selling methamphetamine on over 10 separate occasions to numerous individuals.

Grandchamp pled guilty to federal charges and is awaiting sentencing.

BIGLEGGINS 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 4 years supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation Division.

 

 

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