BILLINGS, MT – A Billings man with a penchant for both meth and automatic weapons is headed to federal prison for over a decade. David Lawrence Bernach, 60, received a 12-year and three-month sentence Wednesday after pleading guilty in October 2022 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen and will be followed by five years of supervised release.
The case, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, revealed a calculated operation. Beginning in February 2022, Bernach was identified as a target, quickly establishing himself as a reliable source for an informant, and then, directly, for an undercover agent. Court documents detail how Bernach frequently carried firearms during these illicit transactions, escalating the danger of his operation.
But Bernach wasn’t content with just peddling drugs. He actively sought to arm himself with serious firepower. The investigation uncovered that Bernach specifically requested “anything automatic,” and began negotiating with the undercover agent to trade three ounces of methamphetamine for a machine gun. Law enforcement moved in to arrest Bernach as he arrived at a parking lot to complete the deal. A subsequent search of his property yielded multiple firearms, revealing a clear pattern of behavior.
During questioning, Bernach readily admitted to his role in the methamphetamine trade, confessing to purchasing two pounds of the drug from his supplier *every week* for the past six months. He justified the presence of the firearms at his residence, claiming they were solely for “protection.” The extent of Bernach’s operation suggests a significant contribution to the flow of methamphetamine within the Billings area.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten successfully prosecuted the case, highlighting the collaborative effort of federal and state law enforcement agencies. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich emphasized that this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement and communities.
The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing enforcement, and meticulously measuring results. While Bernach’s operation is dismantled, the ongoing efforts of PSN and agencies like the ATF remain crucial in combating the persistent threat of drug trafficking and illegal firearms in Montana and across the nation. The Denver Field Division of the ATF played a supporting role in the investigation.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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