GREAT FALLS, Mont. (NMB) – A Havre man has admitted to trafficking drugs after being accused of supplying large quantities of methamphetamine to individuals on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation.
A press release states that Clayton Cree Morsette, 23, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth last week in U.S. District Court in Great Falls.
Morsette faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided, set sentencing for August 5th, and ordered Morsette detained.
In court documents, the government alleged that in 2019, law enforcement officers learned from individuals that co-defendant Kristina Russette, of Washington, and her boyfriend, Morsette, worked together to distribute meth from the Spokane area to the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. In addition, in May 2020, Russette was driving a vehicle stopped in Washington for traffic violations in which Morsette was a passenger. During a search of the vehicle, officers found multiple bags containing approximately 1.6 pounds of meth. Morsette told an officer that he and Russette had picked up those drugs in Spokane and that some of it was destined for Montana.
Multiple other individuals told law enforcement that Morsette was a longtime supplier of large quantities of meth to persons on and around the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and described him as working with Russette. Morsette admitted to working with Russette to distribute meth, making multiple trips to bring ounces of meth to the reservation and to having brought a pound of meth in a trip in March or February of 2020. Russette pleaded guilty in the case and is awaiting sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Kalispel Tribe Public Safety Department in Washington and the Airway Heights Police Department in Washington.
Information courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana
