BAKKEN DRUG CASE DEFENDANT ROBERT FARRELL ARMSTRONG, Aka DR. BOB PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on January 22, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters, ROBERT FARRELL ARMSTRONG, who used the nickname "DR. BOB", 49, of Moses Lake, Washington, pleaded guilty to Possession With the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Armstrong's plea could result in a term of life in prison, and his sentence can be no less than 10 years. There is no parole in the federal system.

In an Offer of Proof filed with the Court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thaggard informed that in early 2013, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (MDCI), Sidney, Montana Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began to investigate a drug trafficking organization that was distributing methamphetamine in the Sidney, Montana area. Ultimately, the investigation revealed that Armstrong and his associates, including co-conspirator Kera Evans, were transporting methamphetamine from the State of Washington to Montana, where it was then distributed in an area that stretched from southern Montana to the Bakken oil region in northeastern Montana.

On February 7, 2013, Armstrong distributed approximately 1.8 grams of actual methamphetamine to a confidential informant during the course of an undercover operation monitored by law enforcement agents and that took place in Richland County, Montana, and then three weeks later, on February 20, 2013, distributed an additional five grams or more of actual methamphetamine during a separate undercover transaction. This buy also took place in Richland County.

The term "actual" methamphetamine refers to the purity contained in the transacted amount which is usually "cut" with inert ingredients that make the actual product less pure but more profitable as drugs are generally sold based on quantity not quality.

On March 15, 2013, Evans disclosed to the MDCI that a person named "Jennifer" and Armstrong were in a vehicle located in the vicinity of Three Forks, Montana and in possession of approximately six ounces of methamphetamine. Evans identified "Jennifer" as Armstrong's driver. The MDCI requested that the Montana Highway Patrol stop the vehicle, at which time Armstrong and a woman identified as Jennie Britt were taken into custody. Approximately six ounces of methamphetamine and a pistol were recovered from the vehicle's console.