A Columbia Falls man recently pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession and distribution of drugs. 

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release.

Wade Patrick Wright, 48, appeared in U.S. District Court on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun that wasn’t registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

In a plea agreement, the United States agreed to dismiss two of the counts at the time of sentencing. Prosecutors claim that on April 21, 2015, the Columbia Falls Police Department received a report from a witness that Wright had held him against his will. 

The witness said he was a heroin addict and had purchased heroin from the defendant numerous times, according to public court documents. Several weeks earlier, the defendant had fronted him $400 of heroin. 

On the day the witness called police, he went to Wright’s residence to pay off part of the debt. When he entered the residence, Wright picked up a shotgun, put a round in the gun, held it to the witness’ body and informed the witness that he needed to repay the remainder of his debt. 

The witness told Wright if he could go to work he would be able to pay off his debt. Wright and an associate drove him to his work with the understanding that they would pick him up at 10:30 p.m. 

Wright cradled a shotgun across his lab during the drive. Wright informed the witness that if he “messed this up,” he would damage his vehicle. He also informed the witness that he had somebody prepared to hurt him but would call that person off now. 

The witness called law enforcement after Wright dropped him off at work. Law enforcement coordinated surveillance on Wright’s residence and observed Wright’s vehicle leave the residence a little after 10 p.m.

The next day, law enforcement received a search warrant for Wright’s residence and vehicle. They discovered firearms including the 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun. They also found bags of methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms. 

Sentencing is set for June 16 in Missoula. The United States Probation Office will conduct a pre-sentence investigation.