Former Bigfork bar owner pleads guilty to drug charges

The former owner of a Bigfork bar has pleaded guilty to a series of drug charges after selling cocaine out of the business.

Travis Martin, 33, of Bonner, Mont., entered guilty pleas April 17 in Flathead County District Court to four counts of felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. Martin sold nine grams of cocaine to undercover agents during three transactions at the Rendezvous Lounge in Bigfork on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31, 2012, then another ounce on Sept. 13, 2012, worth a total of $1,860. 

On Sept. 12, 2012, Martin introduced the buyers to Phillip Sowder of Kalispell, allegedly his source for the drug. Sowder then sold the buyers another ounce of cocaine for $1,200 at the Rendezvous Lounge. 

A search of Sowder’s home turned up more than 64 grams of cocaine, 65 marijuana plants and a large sum of U.S. currency, according to court documents.

Martin faces between two years and four life terms as well as a fine of up to $200,000. He will be sentenced June 5 in Flathead County District Court. Sowder was sentenced Feb. 27 by District Judge Ted Lympus to 10 years in prison followed by an additional 10 years suspended. He also was ordered to pay a $400 public defender fee. The Rendezvous closed in early summer 2013.