Eureka man convicted of drug possession

A Eureka man was sentenced Monday in Lincoln County District Court for drug possession.

Robert Chad Pearson, 54, initially faced several charges, including criminal possession with intent to distribute, use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture, two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and one count of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after trafficking. stop on November 21 in Eureka.

Pearson pleaded not guilty to all charges Dec. 11 in Lincoln County District Court before pleading guilty March 25 to one count. He was incarcerated in the county jail before being released Dec. 15 on his own recognizance.

Pearson was sentenced to a 3-year deferred sentence and 31 days credit for time served in the county jail. He was not required to pay a fine or fees, but the $1,400 that was in his possession at the time of his arrest was forfeited to the county's drug forfeiture fund.

Pearson, through his attorney Sean D. Hinchey, objected to the taking of a DNA sample. District Judge Matt Cuffe told the defendant that stipulation was required by state law.

According to probable cause stated by County Deputy Clint Heintz, he was on patrol when he saw Pearson loading groceries into a white Cadillac at Watson Market. Heintz reported that Pearson had an active, no-bail warrant for assault by a partner or family member in Lincoln County Justice Court. Heintz radioed Sgt. Bo Pitman, who was south of Eureka. Heintz followed Pearson, which later morphed into Big Sky Exxon.

Heintz told Pearson there was a warrant for his arrest, handcuffed him and searched him. Heintz reported finding a glove in a left cargo pocket. He asked the defendant if the glove contained a meth pipe and Pearson allegedly responded that it did. There was also a black key box in the pocket with a white substance on it. Pearson allegedly admitted there was methamphetamine in the key box.

After reading him his rights, Heintz asked Pearson how long he had been using meth and he allegedly replied, “A while.” When Heintz asked to search the vehicle, Pearson refused, according to the court document. Pearson later reportedly said he had been using methamphetamine for about 30 years. The defendant said the habit cost him about $20 a day.

The next day, November 22, Heintz obtained a warrant to search Pearson's Cadillac Seville. The officer reported finding several items, 21.3 grams of a white crystalline substance, a total of 14 $100 bills, and baggies containing substances that tested positive for MDMA/amphetamine and fentanyl.

A conviction for drug possession with intent to distribute can result in a sentence of 20 years in Montana State Prison. A conviction for possession of property subject to criminal confiscation can result in a maximum sentence of 10 years. A conviction for drug possession can result in a sentence of 5 years. Six months in county jail is the maximum penalty for possession of drug paraphernalia.