Southeast Montana News

A Great Falls woman has admitted to a conspiracy charge related to methamphetamine distribution, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. Melissa Ann Barone, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth. She faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, along with a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the proceedings. The court will determine Barone's sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2025, and she remains detained pending further proceedings.

Court documents allege that Barone was involved in distributing methamphetamine in the Great Falls area from January 2020 until about April 2024. Several individuals who purchased or received meth from her confirmed her involvement. The government claims that Barone acted as a drug runner for co-defendant Daniel Allen Wakeford, who has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. Additionally, it is alleged that she borrowed vehicles to travel outside Montana for drug pickups.

As part of her plea agreement, Barone agreed to forfeit $74,951 in cash seized from a motorhome and two BMWs, an AK-47 pistol and magazine, a 2016 BMW, and a 2002 motorhome.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office following an investigation conducted by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS, Great Falls Police Department, and Russell Country Drug Task Force.

This investigation was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative which aims to identify and dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through a collaborative multi-agency approach.

For more information on OCDETF efforts visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.