David Wayne Lawrence, Meth Possession, Montana 2013

A 47-year-old Great Falls resident, David Wayne Lawrence, was sentenced to 65 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy involving the distribution of methamphetamine. Lawrence, who was 47 at the time of sentencing, was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and will serve three years of supervised release.

Lawrence's sentencing occurred on June 17, 2013, before Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen in a federal court session in Great Falls.

According to an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard, the government would have proved at trial that Lawrence was involved with several other individuals in a conspiracy that involved the distribution of methamphetamine from Spokane, Washington to Great Falls.

One of the individuals was based in Great Falls and periodically traveled with certain associates to Spokane, picked up methamphetamine, then took the drug back to Great Falls. He then distributed the drugs through a network of drug dealers in Great Falls. Lawrence was one of the subordinate drug dealers and lived at a residence in Great Falls with two other individuals, all three of whom distributed methamphetamine from the residence.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the 'truth in sentencing' guidelines mandate that Lawrence will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Lawrence 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 Drug Enforcement Administration and the Great Falls Police Department.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/david-wayne-lawrence-sentenced-us-district-court