California man sentenced in Montana to 10 years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A man from California was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in federal prison and five years’ supervised release following his conviction on methamphetamine charges.

This sentenced was announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme, District of Montana. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Russell County (Montana) Drug Task Force.

Michael Christopher Laird, 26, of California, pleaded guilty on Aug. 23 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

An investigation began in March when Great Falls Police officers responded to a local business for a shoplifting call in which Laird was present with a suspect. Information from cellphone text messages and other evidence showed that Laird was involved in sending methamphetamine to Great Falls and wiring money to California. A Great Falls resident claimed Laird and another person broke into his home looking for a package of methamphetamine and threatened to attack him with a machete if he didn’t get the package. The resident gave Laird the package.

U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided at the hearing.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley, District of Montana, prosecuted this case.