Columbia Falls Man Gets 4+ Years in Federal Prison After Violating Suspended Drug Lab Sentence

COLUMBIA FALLS — A Columbia Falls man who received a fully suspended 10-year sentence for operating a clandestine drug laboratory was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison Tuesday after violating the terms of his probation by illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.

Zachary Matthew Gargasz, 38, pleaded guilty in March to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided over the federal sentencing in Missoula Federal District Court.

The case highlights questions about judicial discretion in serious drug cases when offenders later commit additional crimes that could have been prevented by initial incarceration.

From Drug Lab to Gun Crimes

In October 2017, Gargasz was convicted in Flathead County District Court of Operation of a Clandestine Drug Laboratory and sentenced to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections — with all 10 years suspended. The suspended sentence meant Gargasz avoided prison time entirely, instead serving probation under strict conditions.

A year later, in November 2018, Gargasz signed a Firearms Regulation Form acknowledging he was prohibited from possessing firearms as a convicted felon — a standard requirement of his probation terms.

Clandestine drug laboratories pose serious risks to communities through toxic chemicals and fire hazards, making the lenient sentence particularly concerning.

Probation Violation

On December 1, 2023, during a routine probation visit, officers searched Gargasz’s vehicle and discovered 11 rounds of .45 ammunition in the center console and two AR magazines taped together containing 63 rounds of .233 caliber ammunition behind the passenger seat.

A subsequent search of Gargasz’s home revealed a loaded .45 caliber handgun hidden underneath his mattress. At an April 2024 revocation hearing, Gargasz admitted to possessing the firearm.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the federal case.

Sentencing Disparity

The contrast between Gargasz’s original suspended sentence and his current federal prison term raises questions about Montana’s approach to serious drug crimes. While he avoided any jail time for operating a dangerous drug laboratory in 2017, federal authorities pursued the maximum penalty for his firearm violations.

Clandestine drug laboratories typically involve manufacturing methamphetamine using hazardous chemicals that can cause explosions, fires, and environmental contamination requiring expensive cleanup. Such operations pose significant risks to neighbors and first responders.

The federal sentence includes 51 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

The ATF and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation leading to Gargasz’s federal charges. The case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together federal, state and local law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

The case demonstrates the role of federal authorities in addressing serious criminal behavior when state-level sentences may not have adequately deterred continued criminal activity.

The 2017 Flathead County District Court records do not indicate whether Gargasz’s suspended sentence was part of a plea agreement or what factors influenced the court’s decision to suspend the entire 10-year term.

Gargasz’s case highlights ongoing debates about the effectiveness of suspended sentences for serious felonies, particularly when offenders demonstrate continued criminal behavior that could endanger public safety.