Montana Men Receive Prison Sentences for Meth Offenses

MISSOULA - Hugh Shawgo, a 45-year-old resident of Libby, and Michael Norton, a 42-year-old resident of Kalispell were sentenced today to 156  and 78 months in prison respectively to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Both pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and Shawgo pleaded guilty to the additional charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. United States District Judge Donald W. Molloy handed down the sentences. 

Beginning in August of 2017 and continuing through September 13, 2017, Shawgo and Norton would fly via Norton’s private plane to Spokane, Washington to pick up methamphetamine, which was later to be redistributed in Northwestern Montana.  Members of law enforcement recovered 426 grams of methamphetamine and a .40 caliber handgun from Shawgo’s bag on Norton’s plane.  The methamphetamine recovered from Shawgo was more than 98% pure and contained 3408 doses which were headed for users in Montana.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott and investigated by the Northwest Drug Task Force. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify those responsible for significant violent crime in Montana.  A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a recently reinvigorated Department of Justice program that has proven to be successful in reducing violent crime.  Today’s sentencing is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.