Somers resident sentenced for marijuana

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on Oct. 4, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, Darin Mower, a 40-year-old resident of Somers, appeared for sentencing. Mower was sentenced to a term of five years probation and $100 special assessment.

Mower was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to maintain drug-involved premises.

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

In approximately January 2011 and continuing through Nov. 16, 2011, Mower, Gregory Zuckert, Christopher Cronshaw, Jesse Shewalter, and “XX,” were involved in marijuana growing operations.

“XX” owned and operated two marijuana dispensaries named Big Sky Health in Missoula and Victor. “XX” obtained marijuana from numerous sources of supply, including other marijuana producers, but his primary source of marijuana was a grow facility known as “The Wye” located in Missoula. “The Wye” had between 1,000 and 1,200 marijuana plants at various growth stages and was capable of producing at least 30 pounds of marijuana a month. “XX” distributed the marijuana through Big Sky Health marijuana dispensaries to marijuana cardholders and individuals who were not marijuana cardholders.

Law enforcement conducted several controlled purchases of marijuana in various amounts, including ounces, half-pounds, and pound quantities, from “XX.”

Mower supplied “XX” with marijuana from his own grow in the Flathead. Mower had 312 marijuana plants and 25 kilos of marijuana and also operated a dispensary in Kalispell. Law enforcement seized approximately $47,826.65 from Mower.

Cronshaw, Shewalter, and Zuckert pled guilty to federal charges.

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

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.