FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
LARRY SALLEE PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on October 10, 2007, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, LARRY SALLEE, a 34-year-old resident of Billings, pled guilty to disposing of firearms to person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. Sentencing is set for January 16, 2008. He is currently released on special conditions.
At the change of plea proceeding, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On April 6, 2002, SALLEE purchased four firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers in Billings. Sometime between the date of purchase and September 21, 2002, SALLEE disposed of or delivered the firearms to an individual whom SALLEE knew was a daily user of marijuana as SALLEE had used marijuana with the individual and had purchased and distributed 1/4 pound of marijuana from the individual every month for approximately two years.
On two occasions SALLEE had traveled with the individual to Arizona to bring back loads of marijuana. When questioned, the individual admitted receiving the four firearms from SALLEE.
When questioned by law enforcement, SALLEE admitted he purchased the firearms at the request of the individual, knowing that he (SALLEE) would deliver the four firearms to the individual later.
SALLEE faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheila R. Kolar prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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