FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 25, 2008
GARY LEE GORDON 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 Billings, on January 25, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, GARY LEE GORDON, a 45-year-old resident of Laurel, appeared for sentencing. GORDON was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 290 months
- Special Assessment: $100
- Supervised Release: 10 years
GORDON was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
At the sentencing proceeding, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On November 3, 2006, task force officers executed a search warrant at GORDON'S residence in Laurel and recovered 177.70 grams of methamphetamine (144.30 grams pure) and 510.30 grams of marijuana.
On November 21, 2006, a guest of the Extended Stay Motel in Billings discovered a black bag on a baggage cart in the elevator. The guest took the bag to motel staff, who in turn contacted law enforcement. Found in the bag was 196.10 grams of methamphetamine (183.20 grams pure), 8.20 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $8,530 in cash. Motel staff later placed a call to GORDON'S room and advised him they had located his bag. GORDON came down to the desk to claim the bag.
A cooperating witness provided information that GORDON received approximately 1/2 pound of methamphetamine from his supplier every 3 days. This cooperating witness also collected drug proceeds for GORDON. The cooperating witness stated that GORDON admitted to him/her that he (GORDON) had been in possession of a black bag that contained illegal drugs and cash and that the bag was seized by police. The cooperating witness admitted to previously delivering drugs for GORDON.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that GORDON will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, GORDON 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 James E. Seykora prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.
