The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on December 12, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, DEANNA MARIE WELLS, a 29-year-old resident of Browning, pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for March 25, 2013. She is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

From November 2010 until May 2011, WELLS was involved in a conspiracy with Louis Romero, Henry Lopez, and other individuals in distributing methamphetamine in the Browning area.

WELLS distributed 50 or more grams of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Romero and Lopez pled guilty to federal charges.

WELLS faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, and 4 years supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Montana Regional Violent Crimes Task Force.

 

 

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