Drug Sting Nets 17 Arrests

The Valley County Sheriff's Office conducted a major sweep of drug dealers on June 22, executing felony arrest warrants on 17 people during Operation High Tide. According to information released by the sheriff’s office, most were in the Glasgow, Hinsdale, St. Marie and Nashua areas, and three were arrested in Billings, Bozeman and Livingston. Several more arrests are pending.
During the past nine months, the Valley County Sheriff's Office has been conducting in-depth and intensive investigations in partnership with the Big Muddy River Drug Task Force. The arrest warrants all stemmed from this work relating to illegal drug activities such as distribution, sale and possession. The investigations centered mainly on methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as prescription drugs such as oxycodone, methadone and morphine.
Also as a result of the investigations and arrest warrants, one vehicle was seized, as well as money, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
The people arrested during Operation High Tide and the crimes they are charged with:
Philip Turner of Nashua, 58, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly marijuana
Jared Havelange of Glasgow, 23, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly marijuana
Gavin Holstein/Fredenberg of Glasgow, 20, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly marijuana
Bailey Burleson of Glasgow, 19, felony distribution of dangerous drugs by accountability, allegedly marijuana
Kelly McVay of Glasgow, 47, felony possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, allegedly marijuana; and carrying illegal drugs on a train, allegedly marijuana, misdemeanor
Dale Hall of Glasgow, 59, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly morphine
Parker Canen of Glasgow, 22, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly morphine; and felony possession of dangerous drugs, allegedly morphine
Cindy Trathen of Glasgow, 19, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly morphine; felony possession of dangerous drugs, allegedly morphine; misdemeanor possession of dangerous drugs, allegedly marijuana; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
Anthony Aliperto of Glasgow, 33, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly marijuana
Sean Watkins of Glasgow, 26, felony distribution of dangerous drugs by accountability, allegedly methamphetamine
Jennifer Birkoski of Glasgow, 20, felony distribution of dangerous drugs – 15 counts, for sales of alleged methamphetamine, marijuana, morphine, Valium, oxycodone, Adderall and methadone
Lael Marchione of Glasgow, 34, felony distribution of dangerous drugs – four counts, for sales of alleged marijuana, oxycodone and morphine
Gordon Longtree of Glasgow, 60, felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly morphine
Kyle Colman of Glasgow, 24, misdemeanor possession of dangerous drugs, allegedly marijuana; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
Royce Nation of Glasgow, 24, arrested in Billings by the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office for felony distribution of dangerous drugs, allegedly Adderall; and felony possession of dangerous drugs, allegedly Adderall
John Fowler of Glasgow, 30, arrested in Bozeman by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office for felony distribution of dangerous drugs – three counts, for sales of alleged morphine
Melissa Odegard/Fowler of Glasgow, 30, arrested in Livingston by the Park County Sheriff's Office for felony distribution of dangerous drugs – five counts, for sales of alleged morphine
Most of suspects bonded out of jail and made their initial appearance in Justice Court on Monday. Initial appearances in District Court are scheduled for most of the suspects on Friday.
Sheriff Glen Meier stated the arrest warrants will have a large impact on illegal drug distribution and use in Valley County. He said the drug investigations and arrests are about “keeping Valley County residents safe and perhaps more importantly, keeping illegal drugs out of the hands of our children.”
Sheriff Meier and Valley County Attorney Nickolas Murnion also remind the people of Valley County to assist in taking back their communities by reporting any suspicious activity or drug-related information directly to the sheriff's office at 228-4333.
The Big Muddy River Drug Task Force is funded by the Montana Board of Crime Control. The Valley County Sheriff's Office acknowledges the Big Muddy River Drug Task Force, the Montana Highway Patrol, Valley County Dispatch and the Valley County Detention Center for their assistance during Operation High Tide.