Authorities have charged two local men with multiple felonies for allegedly trafficking and distributing a shipment of heroin from Seattle to the Flathead Valley in late September.

Prosecutors claim in court documents that one of the men had been released on his own recognizance from the Flathead County Detention Center an hour before he was allegedly in possession of part of the heroin shipment.

Lance Austin Gendreau, 26, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court with one felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute. Brian David Pehling, 53, has been charged with criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, criminal possession with intent to distribute, and tampering with evidence, all felonies.

According to court documents, the Northwest Drug Task Force received information on Sept. 27 that Pehling was on his way to the Flathead, allegedly with a shipment of heroin from Seattle. The information also alleged that Gendreau was one of the people meant to redistribute the drug.

Gendreau was located and allegedly had 2.7 grams of heroin in his possession. Gendreau had been released from jail just an hour before he picked up the shipment, prosecutors claim.

Officers then searched Pehling’s residence and allegedly found suspected heroin, methamphetamine, multiple baggies, spoons, pipes and other items associated with drug use.

After he was read his rights, Pehling allegedly confessed to trafficking a half-ounce, or 14 grams, of heroin into the valley, giving two grams to Gendreau, and then flushing the majority of the drugs down the toilet before allowing officers to enter his home.

Pehling remained in custody Wednesday, as did Gendreau. Pehling will be arraigned on Oct. 27.

Gendreau is also facing multiple drug charges in another case. Gendreau pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and one felony count of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.

According to court documents, Gendreau allegedly was observed on April 6 by members of the Northwest Drug Task Force selling seven grams of methamphetamine for $400.

A few weeks earlier, on March 17, the Northwest Drug Task Force allegedly had observed Gendreau selling someone $130 worth of heroin.

He also was allegedly caught at a hotel in Flathead County on Jan. 9 in possession of a large glass bong, several glass pipes, 7.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 4.6 grams of suspected heroin, 3.6 grams of marijuana, a shotgun, multiple jewel bags, digital scales, notebooks with transactions and serial numbers of weapons, cash, multiple cell phones and computers.

Gendreau was previously convicted of felony theft for taking part in a heist in which he and others entered a home on Willow Glen Drive and took a safe containing gold and cash worth $100,000. Gendreau was given a three-year deferred sentence by Judge Ted Lympus after Gendreau said he had paid $35,000 in restitution and intended to attend the University of Montana to turn over a new leaf.

Gendreau’s trial for all four of the new cases is set for Jan. 17.

“It would be nice to have them all together,” Gendreau’s attorney told Judge Ulbricht.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.