Christopher Allan Steiner Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on October 19, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, CHRISTOPHER ALLAN STEINER, a 25-year-old resident of Havre, appeared for sentencing. STEINER was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 62 months
• Special Assessment: $100
• Supervised Release: four years

STEINER was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to distribution of methamphetamine.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Wolfe, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Officers of the Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force in Havre investigated individuals involved in illegally trafficking methamphetamine in the Havre area between November 2009 and April 2010. STEINER was identified as being involved.

At trial, a co-conspirator, “CS 1” would have testified that he began purchasing methamphetamine from STEINER in late 2009. “CS 1” would have testified that he purchased five ounces of methamphetamine from STEINER. “CS 1” distributed four ounces of this methamphetamine to other individuals, saving the rest for personal use. “CS 1” would meet STEINER at various locations in Havre, four-to-six times a week and he would receive one-to-five grams of methamphetamine from STEINER on each occasion.

Task Force Officers conducted three controlled purchases of methamphetamine from “CS 1”, with the assistance of a confidential informant, “CI”, in Havre.

On January 7, 2010, the “CI” purchased 1.3 grams of methamphetamine from STEINER.

On January 12, 2010, the “CI” purchased 3.1 grams of methamphetamine from STEINER.

On February 2, 2010, the “CI” purchased 3.2 grams of methamphetamine from STEINER.

Task Force Officers conducted surveillance during these controlled purchases. These three controlled purchases were conducted during the time period that “CS 1” was receiving methamphetamine from STEINER.

The methamphetamine purchased from “CS 1” was subsequently submitted to a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory for testing. The substances purchased from “CS 1” tested positive for methamphetamine.

Another co-conspirator, “CS 2” would have testified that he sold methamphetamine for a period of approximately six weeks, during January and February 2010. “CS 2” was receiving his methamphetamine directly from STEINER. “CS 2” sold two-to-three gram amounts of methamphetamine on four-to-five separate occasions to one individual. “CS 2” also sold two-to-three gram amounts of methamphetamine to “CS 1” on four-to-five separate occasions. “CS 2” would pick up methamphetamine from STEINER, distribute that amount to others, and then return the money to STEINER. “CS 2” assisted STEINER in preparing the methamphetamine for sale on three occasions. STEINER would prepare the methamphetamine in one-gram baggies and sell them for $120. “CS 2” would have testified that during the six-week period he sold methamphetamine for STEINER, STEINER would “re-up” his supply of methamphetamine every other day. Each time STEINER would purchase between one-half and one-ounce amounts of methamphetamine to re-up his supply.

CS 1” would have corroborated “CS 2’s” testimony. “CS 1” purchased two-to-three gram amounts of methamphetamine on numerous occasions from “CS 2”. “CS 1” would also testify that he knew “CS 2” was receiving the methamphetamine from STEINER. STEINER was identified as being the supplier of methamphetamine.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that STEINER will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, STEINER does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for “good behavior.” However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force.