C-Falls woman sentenced for meth possession

A 39-year-old Columbia Falls woman was given a two-year deferred sentence after she was caught with marijuana and methamphetamine in her vehicle during a meth lab bust in Columbia Heights last spring.

Heather Faller, AKA Heather Piland, was charged with felony drug possession and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession. She faced up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine for the felony charge.

Northwest Drug Task Force agents raided a residence on Columbia Mountain Road last spring and arrested Christen Stordalen, 29, and his girlfriend Mysterie Callihan, 34.  They were charged with operating a clandestine lab. Faller was in the driveway at the time of the raid.

Following that bust, agents went to a residence on River Road in Columbia Falls and arrested Jonathan Kemppainen, 35, and his wife, Rachel Kemppainen, 38. They were also charged with operating a clandestine lab.

Following a plea deal reached Nov. 21, Faller pleaded guilty to the felony drug possession charge, and the misdemeanor charge was dismissed.

Flathead County District Court Judge David Ortley sentenced Faller per the plea agreement on Jan. 16. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, with half suspended, and $800 in public defender fees, with half suspended.

Jonathan Kemppainen was sentenced after his attorney reached a plea agreement. He was sentenced to 12 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with seven years suspended. The attorneys for Rachel Kemppainen, Stordalen and Callihan are still negotiating plea deals with the county attorney’s office.