Michael Allan Erhart, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Montana 2014

A shocking indictment has been handed down in Billings, Montana, as Michael Allan Erhart, a 32-year-old resident of Billings, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ostby on January 17, 2014, on charges of conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and aiding and abetting.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Task Force.

If convicted of the most serious offenses charged in the indictment, Michael Allan Erhart faces life in prison, $10,000,000 in fines, and 5 years of supervised release.

The indictment is merely a formal charging document, and Erhart is presumed innocent of any crime until proof of guilt is established by trial or guilty plea.

Erhart's case is part of a larger effort to combat methamphetamine trafficking in Montana. The U.S. Attorney's Office is currently transitioning its media program to new media contacts, which may affect the amount of information available in a timely manner.

To stay up-to-date on this case, the public is encouraged to monitor the progress of the case through the U.S. District Court calendar and the PACER system.

To establish a PACER account, which will allow you to review documents filed in the case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html.

To access the district court's calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/information-federal-court-arraignments-7