Great Falls meth and heroin trafficker sentenced to prison

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who admitted to dealing methamphetamine and heroin in the community was sentenced today to 38 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Tammy Lynn Lapie, 56, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in September 2020, the Russell Country Drug Task Force received information that Lapie was dealing methamphetamine and heroin. During a search of Lapie’s house, officers found both drugs. Officers also seized and searched Lapie’s cell phone and confirmed her involvement in dealing drugs. In February 2021, law enforcement intercepted a package of heroin that Lapie was expecting in the mail and delivered it to Lapie, who took custody of it. Lapie admitted to law enforcement that she sold heroin to a small group of individuals in the community.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Russell Country Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. 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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