Stephen Eric Engelhardt, Jr., Meth Distribution, Montana 2023

GREAT FALLS — A Havre man who admitted selling methamphetamine was sentenced today to five years and four months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Stephen Eric Engelhardt, Jr., 41, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to distribution of meth.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged that in March 2023, members of the Montana Tri-Agency Task Force began investigating Engelhardt’s involvement in meth trafficking. On two occasions, Engelhardt and his co-defendant, Tayla Wren Overlie, sold meth in a controlled operation in April 2023. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at their residence and recovered drug paraphernalia, meth, ammunition, numerous firearms and U.S. currency. Overlie was sentenced to five years and four months in prison for her conviction in the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Tri-Agency Task Force and the FBI conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Stephen Eric Engelhardt, Jr.

Criminal Charges: Distribution of meth

City and State: Havre, Montana

Date: December 2023 (sentencing)

Sentence: Five years and four months in prison

Followed by: Four years of supervised release

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/havre-meth-dealer-sentenced-more-five-years-prison