Kerry Lynn Van Haele Sentenced In U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on June 19, 2013, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, KERRY LYNN VAN HAELE, a 29-year-old resident of Billings, was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 46 months

Special Assessment: $100

Supervised Release: 4 years

VAN HAELE was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

In January 2010, agents began investigating a methamphetamine distribution cell out of Las Vegas, Nevada, that was involved in the trafficking of high-purity methamphetamine to Billings. Throughout the course of the investigation, agents learned the identities of members in the criminal organization and began conducting interviews with them.

Agents were advised by numerous sources connected to the distribution of methamphetamine that VAN HAELE was one of the subjects obtaining methamphetamine from "X.X." and his organization, and that she was involved in the re-distribution of the drug. These activities took place on or about May 2010 until September 2010, and occurred within the State of Montana.

Co-conspirators with knowledge of VAN HAELE's activities advised that VAN HAELE allowed at least one package containing methamphetamine to be delivered to her residence. The methamphetamine was then re-distributed.

VAN HAELE admitted to obtaining between one (1) and two (2) pounds of methamphetamine from "X.X." during approximately May 2010 and September 2010. VAN HAELE admitted to re-distributing the methamphetamine she obtained.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that VAN HAELE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, VAN HAELE 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 Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations.