A Browning resident, David William Sharp, 48, has admitted to trafficking methamphetamine on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The admission follows an investigation that led to the seizure of meth and five firearms from his home, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
Sharp pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris is overseeing the case. The court will determine Sharp's sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2025. Sharp remains detained until further proceedings.
The government claims that in spring 2023, law enforcement received reports of Sharp distributing meth in Browning and surrounding areas. Witnesses indicated that Sharp obtained drugs from a supplier near Kalispell with plans to sell them on the Blackfeet Reservation. Law enforcement conducted three controlled purchases of meth from Sharp's residence. Following a purchase in November 2023, authorities executed a tribal search warrant at his home, seizing 296 grams of pure meth packaged in 11 baggies, drug paraphernalia, and five firearms. In total, approximately 315 grams of meth were purchased and seized.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case with investigations conducted by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. Launched on May 26, 2021, this strategy emphasizes trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes.