A Browning man, Clay Darwin Flamand, 54, has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Flamand faces a mandatory minimum sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris is set to determine the final sentence after considering various statutory factors and guidelines. The sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2025. Flamand remains released pending further proceedings.
Court documents reveal that law enforcement became aware in June and July 2024 that Flamand was suspected of supplying significant quantities of methamphetamine to the Blackfeet Reservation. On June 20, 2024, authorities conducted a controlled purchase from Flamand.
An attempted sale on June 26, 2024, did not proceed as planned; however, it was discovered that Flamand’s supplier had left for California to procure more methamphetamine.
On July 11, 2024, Bureau of Indian Affairs officers stopped a vehicle whose driver informed them that his friend had recently received meth from Flamand and intended to acquire more soon. Another witness reported that Flamand's supplier had returned from California with ten pounds of methamphetamine.
A tribal search warrant was obtained for Flamand's residence where law enforcement found over 400 grams of methamphetamine along with cash amounting to $6,590, firearms, and drug paraphernalia.
The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Suek with investigations carried out by the BIA, DEA, and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. PSN focuses on fostering community trust and legitimacy while supporting organizations working toward violence prevention.
