GREAT FALLS, MT – A North Dakota man is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to trafficking fentanyl in Great Falls. Kelly Sterling Wait, 45, of Williston, North Dakota, admitted to possessing with intent to distribute the deadly opioid, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.
The bust went down in October 2022, when agents with the Russell Country Drug Task Force were surveilling a motel room as part of a larger drug investigation. Wait and another man exited the room, hopped into a vehicle, and almost immediately began engaging in petty theft – reportedly breaking into trucks in a nearby parking lot. This brazen behavior quickly drew the attention of the Montana Highway Patrol, who initiated a traffic stop.
During the stop, officers discovered more than just stolen goods. A loaded pistol was found tucked into Wait’s waistband, and a search of the vehicle revealed a stash of fentanyl pills hidden throughout the interior. Approximately 186 pills were crammed into a fanny pack, while another six bags – each containing 100 pills – were located in the trunk. An additional 60 pills were discovered in the passenger seat area, painting a clear picture of Wait’s intent to distribute the dangerous substance.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich didn’t mince words, announcing the guilty plea and highlighting the severity of the crime. Wait now faces not only a potential 20-year prison sentence, but also a $1 million fine and a minimum of three years of supervised release after serving his time. The case underscores the relentless flow of fentanyl across state lines and the dangers it poses to communities.
The investigation was a multi-agency effort, involving the Russell Country Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Montana Highway Patrol, and the Great Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case. Wait remains detained pending sentencing, which is currently scheduled for May 18.
This case is a stark reminder that those who profit from the misery caused by fentanyl will be aggressively pursued and held accountable. The combination of a deadly drug and a loaded firearm demonstrates the inherent danger posed by individuals like Wait, who willingly put profit before public safety.
Related Federal Cases
- Yevgeniy Rudnitskiy, Fentanyl Trafficking, Great Falls MT, 2023 · North Dakota
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- Steven Barros Pinto, Fentanyl Trafficking, Rhode Island 2023 · Rhode Island
- Steven Barros Pinto, Fentanyl Trafficking, North Dakota 2021 · North Dakota
- Juan Vidrio Fuentes, Meth-Fentanyl Trafficking, Montana 2024 · California
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