Suspect faces 7 felony charges

A 34-year-old Columbia Falls ex-convict has been hit with seven felony drug distribution charges in Flathead District Court after marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms and a cache of firearms and ammunition were found during searches of his home and shop June 7.

Joshua Reed Lewis was arrested after Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Montana Drug Task Force personnel searched his Columbia Falls home and a shop in Martin City.

A monthlong investigation included a GPS device being planted on Lewis’ vehicle, an informant equipped with a recording device and several controlled purchases of illegal drugs, according to court documents.

A deputy stopped Lewis as he drove a red 1996 Ford Mustang through Hungry Horse at about 4:55 p.m. on June 7. His shop on Central Avenue in Martin City had been under surveillance in the hours prior to his arrest and law enforcement officials had watched him leave, according to court documents.

While Lewis was being questioned, drug task force agents and sheriff’s office deputies executed search warrants at his shop and home on Fifth Street East North in Columbia Falls, where they found his wife and five children.

Two plastic bags of suspected Psilocybin mushrooms were discovered in the shop home along with a five-gallon bucket of what appeared to be marijuana material, according to court documents.

Investigators found $4,696, a money counter, a counterfeit bill detector and two scales in a safe under a television set at his home. Another scale was found under a VCR and a separate safe held at least three firearms.

Suspected cocaine and pills were found on a bookshelf along with a wand-shaped metal sensor.

In a false wall compartment next to a bed, several bags of cocaine and possible methamphetamine were discovered alongside a Taurus .357 Magnum handgun.

Another hidden compartment in a wall and floor held seven additional firearms.

“The compartments were tripped and opened with what appeared to be magnetic type locking devices,” according to court documents.

Several bags of marijuana and illegal mushrooms and more ammunition were found in a trap compartment under an entertainment center.

Hashish and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found in the home as well. Four bulletproof vests, a helmet and goggles were located in a basement laundry room.

Investigators also found banking documents, sale invoices and other documents.

Lewis’ wife claimed she was unaware of any drug activity at the home but knew Lewis collected firearms, according to court documents.

The Drug Task Force first became aware of Lewis in September 2009, when someone reported that he was selling large quantities of cocaine, according to court documents.

Agents stopped a vehicle seen leaving Lewis’ home on May 5. An ounce of cocaine was found in the vehicle. The driver, who is not identified in court documents, told investigators that he or she owed Lewis $1,760 in past drug debts.

The driver agreed to become a controlled informant and later wore a transmitting device. The informant was provided with $1,760 to pay the drug debt and recorded the transaction, according to court documents.

The informant used $200 provided by task force agents to purchase 1/8 ounce of cocaine on May 10 and also assisted agents in two additional controlled buys of cocaine.

Investigators obtained a warrant to affix a tracking device on Lewis’ Ford Mustang and placed it on the vehicle May 18, according to court documents.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said Lewis likely will be charged in federal court as well.

Lewis was convicted of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute in 1999. He was convicted of criminal possession of dangerous drugs in 2006 and was on probation at the time of his arrest, according to court documents.

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office has charged him with three counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, each punishable by at least one year and up to life in state prison.

Prosecutors have also charged him with four counts on criminal possession with intent to distribute. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

He’s currently being held in the Flathead County Detention Center with bail set at $200,000. His arraignment is scheduled for June 30.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.