FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
CHRISTOPHER PAUL SMITH 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 June 30, 2008, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, CHRISTOPHER PAUL SMITH, age 24, pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possession of a machinegun. Sentencing is set for November 6, 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 August 23, 2007 SMITH abandoned the pickup truck that he was driving after being pursued by police. SMITH was able to avoid being apprehended by police, but was positively identified as the driver of the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and a Springfield Arms 1911-A1 .45 caliber pistol were recovered. The search also revealed stolen electronics, other drug paraphernalia, and paperwork with the name Chris Smith on it. Some of the contraband was found in a bag with the name "SMITH" on it.
On October 26, 2007, law enforcement discovered the blue Dodge Diplomat that SMITH was driving at the time parked next to a Pontiac Sunfire registered to James Blodgett. Both cars were parked in front of the a motel.
Although neither SMITH nor Blodgett was registered at the hotel, room #420 was rented to a known methamphetamine user. The window in room #420 looked out at where SMITH and Blodgett's cars were located. An officer knocked on the door of room #420 and announced his presence as a police officer. He requested someone come to the door. The officer continued to knock for several minutes without an answer. Officers then requested SMITH and Blodgett to exit the room. It was also communicated that SMITH had several warrants out for his arrest and the officers were not going to leave until he came out of the room.
An excess of 15 minutes passed before a voice from inside room #420 stated that they were coming out. SMITH left the room first and was arrested. Blodgett followed and was detained. SMITH and Blodgett were asked for consent to search the room and both cars and both denied consent. The room was quickly cleared to ensure that no one else was inside. Once it was determined that there were no other occupants in the room, it was secured pending a search warrant.
While at the Missoula County Detention Center, SMITH admitted to being under the influence of "marijuana and crystal methamphetamine."
After obtaining a warrant, a search of room #420 revealed methamphetamine, cocaine, a loaded .45 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol, and a fully automatic, British manufactured, Sten Mark III 9mm sub-machine gun which was fully loaded with hollow point rounds. Agents also found a picture of a man holding the machine gun. The man was holding the machine gun with his right hand, and had his left hand hidden behind him. The visible arm had no tattoos. Blodgett's arms are covered in tattoos, while SMITH only has a tattoo on his lower left arm.
The search also revealed marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, packaging supplies, methamphetamine pipes, psilocybin mushrooms and tightly packed cash.
Witnesses would have testified to seeing SMITH in possession of the machine gun and in possession of large quantities of methamphetamine.
Blodgett pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
SMITH faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and 4 years supervised release. In addition, SMITH faces an additional mandatory five year imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence, for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
