A Havre man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison on drug charges, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. Isaiah Starr Standingrock, aged 33, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris.
Court documents reveal that on August 26, 2023, Standingrock attempted to evade law enforcement, leading to a high-speed pursuit on and off the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. During this incident, he called 911 multiple times, threatening violence against officers and himself. Throughout the chase, officers observed him discarding items from his car window, including a suspected gun (which was not recovered) and a blue Nike backpack (which was recovered). A pistol holster was also thrown at officers during a brief standoff before Standingrock was taken into custody without further incident.
Following his arrest, law enforcement seized $430 in cash along with empty syringes and a plastic bag from the vehicle. Fentanyl pills were reportedly visible inside the car.
In the recovered blue Nike backpack, officers found ammunition rounds for .40 caliber S&W and .38 caliber SPL +P firearms alongside more drug paraphernalia such as fentanyl pills and powder, a digital scale with white powder residue, and two mobile phones.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office after an investigation conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, and Hill County Sheriff’s Office.
This sentencing is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on building community trust and preventing violence through strategic enforcement priorities.
