MARGARET LOU MORSETTE 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 Great Falls on December 28, 2006, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, MARGARET LOU MORSETTE, a 59-year-old resident of Great Falls, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Sentencing is set for April 26, 2007. She is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Between approximately March of 2003 and September of 2004, MORSETTE and other individuals were involved in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine in the Great Falls area.

MORSETTE faces possible penalties of 10 years to life in prison, a $4,000,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph E. Thaggard prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Great Falls Police Department.

United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana
P.O. Box 1478
Billings, MT 59103

CONTACT
Kurt Alme
First Assistant U.S. Attorney
(406) 246-4669