Woman goes to prison on drug charge

A Bigfork woman was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday for drug charges.

Angela Fulford, 39, earlier pleaded guilty to possession of drugs. She was arrested in April 2004, along with her husband, Ernie, and Lester Hopkins, also of Bigfork.

Her prison term will run concurrently with any sentence imposed by the state of Florida, where she is on probation and also faces charges.

The state seized the Fulfords' house and a four wheeler.

Fulford was represented by Kalispell attorney Patrick Sherlock. Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams prosecuted.

Ernie Fulford, 47, will spend six and a half years in prison on federal drug charges. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He could have been sentenced to up to 60 years in prison.

From December 2003 to April 2004, Hopkins sold about 85 grams cocaine to an undercover narcotics officer. His source was found to be Fulford. Agents searched Fulford's home and discovered approximately 6.4 pounds of cocaine hidden there.

From the home and in Fulford's truck, officers also reportedly seized 3 pounds of marijuana, 300 pills of 20 types of prescription drugs, and hashish and psilocybin mushrooms, along with guns and $3,800.

The arrest followed a seven-month investigation by the Northwest Drug Task Force, the State Department of Criminal Investigation, and Adult Probation and Parole Office.

Fulford has a prior conviction for cocaine trafficking in Florida in 1997. He reportedly told investigators he moved his family to Montana because of its low crime rate.