California man charged with possessing drugs for distribution

GREAT FALLS -- The U.S. Attorney’s Office today announced that Mitchell Joseph Wright. 40, of Los Angeles, CA, appeared on Monday on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Wright faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. The charging documents are merely accusations and Wright is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided and continued Wright's detention pending further proceedings.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Service, Russell Country Drug Task Force, Cascade County Sheriff's Office and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case.

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