Great Falls Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine and Firearms Offenses

GREAT FALLS – Robert David Linn, Jr., a 52-year-old resident of Great Falls, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Linn’s plea could result in a term of life in prison and his sentence can be no less than 15 years.

In late 2015, the Russell Country Drug Task Force began investigating the defendant, Robert David Linn, Jr., for trafficking methamphetamine in Great Falls, Montana. Through further investigation, law enforcement learned that the defendant typically sold a pound of methamphetamine for $15,000, or an ounce of methamphetamine for $1,250. On occasion, the defendant sold smaller quantities of heroin. Law enforcement also acquired information that the defendant frequently traded methamphetamine for stolen property.

Throughout 2016 and 2017, law enforcement seized approximately five pounds of actual methamphetamine from various individuals in Great Falls who had all received their methamphetamine directly from the defendant. On April 8, 2017, law enforcement arrested the defendant after receiving information that he had recently received approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine through delivery by a shipping company.

Following the defendant’s arrest, law enforcement executed numerous search warrants. First, law enforcement went to a home in Great Falls where agents had information that the defendant stored his methamphetamine supply. There, agents seized 4359.2 grams, or approximately ten pounds, of actual methamphetamine from a concealed location in the home. Agents also seized 13 firearms located in extremely close proximity to the methamphetamine. These firearms included two semi-automatic rifles, four revolvers, and seven semi-automatic pistols. Upon further examination, two of the firearms possessed obliterated serial numbers, and agents discovered three of the firearms were stolen. Law enforcement also seized 202.2 grams of actual methamphetamine from the defendant’s truck. Lastly, in addition to the methamphetamine seizures, agents recovered over $250,000 in cash proceeds from the defendant and his associates.

Linn is detained pending his sentencing on October 19, 2017 in front of U.S. District Judge Brian Morris.