Robert Kirk Belton Pleads Guilty In U.S. Federal Court

The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on February 4, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, ROBERT KIRK BELTON, a 49-year-old resident of Poplar, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing has been set for May 20, 2013. He is currently detained.

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

On September 5, 2012, BELTON fled the scene of a traffic stop near Wolf Point. While driving away, BELTON threw a Crown Royal bag out the window. The bag contained approximately $12,000 and over 50 grams of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

BELTON faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, and 4 years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Peck Law Enforcement, and the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office.