A Missoula woman, accused of dealing drugs in Lake County, was committed in District Court in Polson April 22 to five years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all but time served suspended. Dorsette Hendrickx, 33, was also sentenced to the DOC for another three years suspended on a possession charge.

The sentences were in accordance with a plea agreement reached March 4. She pled guilty to amended charges of criminal possession with intent to distribute and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. She was initially charged with criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and criminal possession with intent to distribute.

According to court records, on Oct. 24, 2023, a confidential informant, working with law enforcement, made a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Hendrickx in Pablo. Hendrickx was on probation at the time, and her probation officer gave law enforcement permission to arrest and search her. She was allegedly in possession of 22 fentanyl pills.

On Nov. 27, 2023, law enforcement observed Hendrickx driving a vehicle in Polson and officers were aware that her driver’s license was suspended. A stop was made on her vehicle. When she was arrested and brought to jail, officers discovered a baggie in her possession that contained 32 fentanyl pills.

Judge Molly Owen gave Hendrickx credit for having already served 159 days in jail.