FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 07, 2008
JAMES CLEVELAND “J.C.” MANYWHITEHORSES 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 Missoula on March 6, 2008, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, JAMES CLEVELAND "J.C." MANYWHITEHORSES, a 26-year-old resident of Missoula/Pablo, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing is set for July 2, 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:
Beginning around the summer of 2005, Kyle Brown, with the assistance of his brother, MANYWHITEHORSES, and Josh Bestwina, began selling methamphetamine around the Missoula area.
Brown would receive approximately one-half to one pound of methamphetamine every 3 to 4 weeks from a source who would bring it from Washington. Brown would break the methamphetamine into smaller quantities, usually ounces or 8-balls, for resale. MANYWHITEHORSES would receive a portion of the methamphetamine for resale. Brown would also receive marijuana. MANYWHITEHORSES would receive most of the marijuana for resale.
When interviewed, MANYWHITEHORSES admitted his involvement in the conspiracy, detailing how he, Brown and Bestwina decided to sell methamphetamine around Missoula, how they went about it, the quantities they received (around a pound a month), and how long it lasted (approximately 14 months).
Brown pled guilty to federal charges and is awaiting sentencing. Bestwina was found guilty at trial and is awaiting sentencing.
MANY WHITE HORSES faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and could be sentenced to life, a $4,000,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
