Browning man admits distributing methamphetamine

GREAT FALLS — A Browning man today admitted he distributed methamphetamine on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said.

Dakoda Blu Wade Iron Shirt, 28, pleaded guilty to distribution of meth. Iron Shirt faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris ordered Iron Shirt detained pending further proceedings. Sentencing is set for May 12.

The prosecution said in court records filed in the case that on Aug. 6, 2019, a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI made a controlled purchase of meth from Iron Shirt. The transaction occurred in a parking lot in Browning. Iron Shirt sold the confidential source approximately 14 grams of meth for $600. Additional witnesses interviewed by the FBI identified Iron Shirt as a meth distributor on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the DEA, FBI Big Sky Safe Trails Task Force and Cut Bank Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 48% from 2013 to 2019. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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