Pablo Residents Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Trafficking on Flathead Reservation

MISSOULA — Two residents of Pablo were each sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced today.

Thomas Joseph Spotted Eagle, 42, received a sentence of 121 months, while his co-defendant, Veronica Egan Partida, 40, received a 120-month sentence. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided over the sentencing hearing. In addition to their prison sentences, both will undergo five years of supervised release. The pair had pleaded guilty in January to charges of possession with intent to distribute the drugs.

The court documents revealed that the case began on April 17, 2024, when Flathead Tribal Police, together with the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, conducted a stop on Spotted Eagle as he was leaving his residence in a vehicle. Spotted Eagle was on federal supervision and had an outstanding arrest warrant. Police observed suspicious movements from him before the stop, and upon searching the vehicle, they discovered a fanny pack containing methamphetamine, a glass pipe, a fentanyl pill, and $934 in cash. Although he denied ownership of the methamphetamine, Spotted Eagle admitted to attempting to conceal it.

A subsequent search of Spotted Eagle’s residence, which he shared with Partida, uncovered more contraband. Officers found Partida present along with various drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale tainted with drug residue, approximately 390 grams of methamphetamine, a bag with four fentanyl pills, and a shotgun placed inside a baby crib. A wallet belonging to Partida and $1,710 in cash were also found. Another room in the residence contained additional methamphetamine, $140 in cash, and around 195 fentanyl pills and powder. Partida admitted that she and Spotted Eagle shared the room where the sizable quantity of methamphetamine was discovered. She acknowledged possession of the drugs and her intent to distribute them.

Interviews conducted with Spotted Eagle’s work supervisor revealed a history of daily methamphetamine procurement from Spotted Eagle since the winter of 2023. The supervisor disclosed purchasing meth as recently as April 16, 2024, and recounted witnessing Spotted Eagle handling a substantial quantity of the drug, stored in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, on three occasions. It was also noted that Spotted Eagle supplied the methamphetamine to another individual on four separate occasions.

The United States Attorney’s Office handled the prosecution, and the investigation was led by the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force. This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through strengthening law enforcement partnerships and community trust. The Department of Justice relaunched its violent crime reduction strategy underpinning PSN in 2021, emphasizing trust, community support, strategic enforcement, and accountability to enhance neighborhood safety.

For further details on Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit the official Justice website.