Havre man gets 5 years and 4 months for methamphetamine distribution
A 41-year-old Havre man has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison for his part in a methamphetamine distribution ring. Stephen Eric Engelhardt, Jr., 41, of Havre, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to distribution of methamphetamine in federal court.
Engelhardt was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris. The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to the charge, admitting to his role in the distribution of the illicit substance.
The investigation into Engelhardt and his co-defendant, Tayla Wren Overlie, began in March 2023. The Montana Tri-Agency Task Force, which includes the FBI, started looking into the pair’s involvement in meth trafficking after uncovering evidence of their activities. In April 2023, the task force conducted a controlled operation that resulted in the arrest of both Engelhardt and Overlie. On two occasions, they sold methamphetamine to undercover agents, providing further evidence of their involvement in the illicit trade.
During a search of their residence, law enforcement found a range of items, including drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, ammunition, several firearms, and U.S. currency. Overlie, who was also sentenced in connection with the case, received a five-year and four-month prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, with the Tri-Agency Task Force and the FBI conducting the investigation.
The case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the United States. Launched in 2021, the initiative brings together law enforcement agencies and community organizations to foster trust and legitimacy, prevent violence, and set focused enforcement priorities.
The sentencing of Engelhardt serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of involvement in drug trafficking and the importance of continued efforts to combat the illicit trade. As law enforcement agencies continue to work together to make communities safer, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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