FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 21, 2008
HOWARD WAYNE HAMILTON 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 April 21, 2008, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, HOWARD WAYNE HAMILTON, a 56-year-old resident of Lame Deer, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing is set for July 24, 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:
HAMILTON was living in an apartment owned and operated by the Northern Cheyenne Housing Authority. The director of housing at Northern Cheyenne contacted law enforcement with information about HAMILTON dealing drugs from his apartment. The director had received anonymous tips about HAMILTON.
Law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of the apartment and then knocked on the door of the apartment and were invited into the apartment by HAMILTON. The officers told HAMILTON that they had received information that he was dealing drugs from the apartment. HAMILTON initially denied the allegation. However, when asked if he had any drugs, HAMILTON admitted that he had marijuana in his cigarette pack. Two marijuana cigarettes were turned over to the police officers. HAMILTON was then arrested.
During a search of HAMILTON after the arrest, the officers discovered a small plastic container containing methamphetamine. The officers seized additional methamphetamine and marijuana when they searched HAMILTON'S apartment after obtaining a search warrant.
HAMILTON was interviewed by law enforcement and provided a recorded statement. He admitted that he was a distributor of methamphetamine and he identified his supplier of methamphetamine.
The methamphetamine that was seized from HAMILTON was sent to the DEA laboratory for analysis. The lab confirmed that 5.4 grams of methamphetamine was seized from HAMILTON.
HAMILTON faces possible penalties a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 80 years, an $4,000,000 fine and at least 8 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Indian Affairs 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.
