FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
MICHAEL McCAUL LAWRENCE 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 Great Falls on October 17, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, MICHAEL McCAUL LAWRENCE, a 19-year-old resident of Great Falls, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing is set for January 17, 2008. He is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On October 30, 2006, an individual, hereafter referred to as "John Doe", was arrested at a hotel located in Great Falls. "John Doe" was found in possession of approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and one pound of marijuana;
LAWRENCE and another individual, hereafter referred to as "Bob Doe", also rented rooms at the motel at the time of "John Doe's" arrest. Law enforcement officers later learned that "Bob Doe" was the supplier of drugs to both "John Doe" and LAWRENCE.
On November 15, 2006, Great Falls Police detectives interviewed LAWRENCE. LAWRENCE admitted he had distributed methamphetamine, cocaine and small amounts of the drug MDMA (Ecstasy) over a period of time which stretched from at least July 27, 2006, to October 2006.
In February of 2007, officers interviewed two associates of LAWRENCE. They stated they were aware LAWRENCE had possessed and distributed methamphetamine and MDMA during the summer of 2006.
On August 28, 2007, LAWRENCE was interviewed by law enforcement officers following his arrest. LAWRENCE admitted that "Bob Doe" fronted him the methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA which he distributed during the course of the conspiracy.
LAWRENCE faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Great Falls Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
