Man sentenced for clandestine meth lab

One of two people passing through Columbia Falls on their way from California to North Dakota was sentenced to 10 years with five suspended for his role in operating a clandestine methamphetamine lab.

Flathead County District Court Judge Robert Allison sentenced Timothy Holt, 31, on Sept. 26 following a plea agreement. Allison recommended Holt be placed at the Missoula Assessment and Sanctions Center, a community corrections program with the Department of Corrections, for screening followed by placement at an appropriate treatment facility and pre-release.

Holt and his companion, Cindy Pruett, 41, were initially charged with felony counts of burglary and operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory after they were arrested by Kalispell police on June 20. Pruett also was charged with felony forgery, and Holt also was charged with felony accountability to forgery.

Both had extensive past criminal histories and were considered flight risks. They were held in the county jail on a $100,000 bond and assigned public defenders.

A plea agreement was reached in Holt’s case on July 24 in which the burglary and forgery charges were dismissed if he pleaded guilty to operating a meth lab. A jury trial for Pruett is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2014.

According to court documents, Holt and Pruett allegedly stole a checkbook and wrote more than $2,700 in bad checks. The victim said the couple were staying at her grandfather’s residence, where the checks were stolen.

A search of the couple’s bedroom allegedly turned up mail and other personal documents belonging to other people. Video surveillance allegedly showed Pruett writing the checks and Holt carrying items from stores.

The couple were arrested after they allegedly tried to use a stolen credit card. Pruett was located and arrested, and she allegedly directed police to the Outlaw Inn, where Holt was staying. He was then found and arrested.

After Pruett allegedly gave police permission to search the motel room, a meth pipe was found that Holt said was his. A syringe also was found that he claimed belonged to Pruett.

Holt also allegedly confessed that he and Pruett burglarized a storage unit on U.S. 2 south of the airport, and that the stolen items were in their vehicle, along with a meth lab. Burglary tools were also allegedly found in the vehicle.