A Browning man, Douglas Darren Malatare, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for distributing fentanyl that led to a man's death on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Following his prison term, he will face four years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced the sentence.
Malatare, aged 59, was found guilty by a federal jury in September 2024 of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The trial lasted three days and was overseen by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris.
“Malatare’s fentanyl trafficking resulted in the death of a man who was found dead by his mother. The victim could only afford half a pill from Malatare and it killed him after he ingested it," stated U.S. Attorney Laslovich. "Fentanyl continues to be our nation’s deadliest illicit drug threat, and it is devastating families and communities, especially in Indian Country."
The case involved the death of John Doe, 49, who was discovered deceased by his mother on November 19, 2022, at their shared residence on the reservation. An investigation revealed blue powder and a straw in Doe's bedroom and determined that he died from acute fentanyl intoxication.
Evidence presented included text messages between Malatare and Doe discussing a transaction for half a pill due to financial constraints. Further investigations revealed Malatare had been transporting fentanyl from Washington to the reservation since at least September 2022.
On December 17, 2022, law enforcement stopped Malatare's vehicle; a K-9 unit indicated drugs were present leading to the seizure of his vehicle for further search where hundreds of pills were discovered.
The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigations conducted by multiple agencies including Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, and FBI.
