David Wayne Lawrence Sentenced In U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on June 17, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, DAVID WAYNE LAWRENCE, a 47-year-old resident of Great Falls, was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 65 months, consecutive to another sentence

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 3 years

LAWRENCE was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

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

LAWRENCE was involved with several other individuals in a conspiracy that involved the distribution of methamphetamine from Spokane, Washington to Great Falls. One of the individuals was based in Great Falls and periodically traveled with certain associates to Spokane, picked up methamphetamine, then took the drug back to Great Falls. He then distributed the drugs through a network of drug dealers in Great Falls.

LAWRENCE was one of the subordinate drug dealers. LAWRENCE lived at a residence in Great Falls with two other individuals and all three distributed methamphetamine from the residence.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that LAWRENCE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, LAWRENCE 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 a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Great Falls Police Department.