The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on May 10, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, ANGIE LEE GRANDCHAMP, a 32-year-old resident of Wolf Point, appeared for sentencing. GRANDCHAMP was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 36 months

• Special Assessment: $100

• Supervised Release: 4 years

GRANDCHAMP was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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:

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

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Special Agents, and local law enforcement officers - via the use of a confidential informant (CI) - conducted, and documented, four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from GRANDCHAMP on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Law enforcement officers monitored all of the transactions.

The first controlled purchase was conducted on May 13, 2010. This transaction with the CI occurred at Donna Bigleggins' residence in Wolf Point. The CI went inside the residence and purchased approximately .15 grams of methamphetamine for $240 from both GRANDCHAMP and Bigleggins.

The second controlled purchase was conducted on May 17, 2010. This transaction occurred at Bigleggins' residence. The CI purchased approximately .06 grams of methamphetamine for $240 from both GRANDCHAMP and Bigleggins The CI purchased the methamphetamine inside the house, with both GRANDCHAMP and Bigleggins present.

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

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

Bigleggins' home, where the first controlled purchase was conducted, is within 1,000 feet of a public playground.

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

When interviewed on April 6, 2011, GRANDCHAMP admitted using methamphetamine since 1997. GRANDCHAMP told agents that she began selling methamphetamine in April of 2010, to support her addiction. She said that she sold methamphetamine "frequently" during this period between the spring of 2010, and early fall of 2010. During this time GRANDCHAMP said she was purchasing and using methamphetamine with Bigleggins and they would sell methamphetamine to support their habit. She admitted to selling multiple grams of methamphetamine, though couldn't be specific on an amount.

Bigleggins was interviewed on December 28, 2010. Bigleggins told agents that she sold methamphetamine with GRANDCHAMP. The two of them would purchase their methamphetamine from various sources - on the Fort Peck Reservation, in Havre and in 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. 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.

Bigleggins pled guilty to federal charges and has been sentenced.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that GRANDCHAMP will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, GRANDCHAMP 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 Bureau of Indian Affairs.

 

 

Return to Top