FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 26, 2007
CHESTER COLEMAN "Chet" MARTIN SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 25, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, CHESTER COLEMAN "Chet" MARTIN, a 20-year-old resident of Billings, appeared for sentencing. MARTIN was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 125 months, consecutive to another sentence
- Special Assessment: $100
- Supervised Release: 5 years
MARTIN was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On February 5, 2007, MARTIN and Wyona Helen Morrison were arrested by the Central Montana Drug Task Force (CMDTF).
When interviewed, Morrison admitted to possessing approximately one and a half pounds of methamphetamine secreted in the right rear interior panel of her vehicle.
A search warrant later conducted on this vehicle resulted in the seizure of 720.5 grams of methamphetamine. Morrison identified her suppliers by the names that the two men went by, later identified as Manuel Ramos and Joel Gomez, and Morrison stated that they were staying at her mobile home. She also advised that she had seen the two in possession of large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine. She had been enlisted by Ramos to distribute the drugs in the Great Falls area.
The methamphetamine seized from Morrison's vehicle consisted of two separate exhibits. Exhibit one's listed weight was 482.1 grams and exhibit two's listed weight was 234.4 grams.
On March 12, 2007, results were received from the DEA Western Laboratory. Exhibit one contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 42.0% purity, exhibit two contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 49.6% purity.
On February 6, 2007, Ramos and Gomez were arrested on state drug charges. Agents had received information that Ramos and Gomez were in possession of a large quantity of drugs and currency. A state search warrant was obtained. A search of Morrison's mobile home resulted in the seizure of 510.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 1,063 grams of cocaine, and $29,800 in U.S. currency.
The narcotics seized from the search warrant conducted at Morrison's residence consisted of three exhibits, all located in a bedroom. Exhibit one's listed weight was 280.1 grams (suspected methamphetamine). Exhibit two's listed weight was 1063.7 grams (suspected cocaine). Exhibit three's listed weight was 230.8 grams (suspected methamphetamine).
On March 12, 2007, results were received from the DEA Western Laboratory. Exhibit one was determined to consist entirely of cutting agents used to extend quantities of the marketable narcotic. By adding "cut" to methamphetamine, the distributor reduces the purity of the product but increases the amount or weight. As drugs are generally priced and sold based upon weight, not purity, this process generates more income for the distributor. Exhibit two contained cocaine hydrochloride at 90.3% purity, and Exhibit three contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 47.6% purity.
On March 22, 2007, Ramos provided a statement regarding his narcotic involvement with Morrison. Ramos stated that prior to his arrest in January of 2007, he traveled with Morrison throughout Montana while she distributed methamphetamine to several individuals. Ramos stated that he took two pounds of methamphetamine with them in a Ziploc bag and a black garbage bag.
Ramos also stated that he and Morrison traveled to Billings, where they met Morrison's then boyfriend, MARTIN, and an unknown male known to Ramos to be a friend of MARTIN'S at the Ramada Inn in Billings. Ramos stated that Morrison provided the unknown male individual one pound of methamphetamine. Guest registrations were requested from the Ramada Inn in Billings, confirming that Morrison checked into the Ramada Inn on January 22, 2007, and checked out January 24, 2007. According to the receipt, two adults occupied the above-mentioned room.
Morrison, Gomez, and Ramos pled guilty to federal charges and have been sentenced.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that MARTIN will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, MARTIN does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Central Montana Drug Task Force.
