Man admits burglary

By CHERY SABOL

The Daily Inter Lake

A Kalispell man admitted on Thursday that he broke into the Fatt Boys bar through the roof on Nov. 7, removed the safe and emptied it at a friend's shop.

Anthony Johnson, 26, also pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine near Kila.

His testimony implicated a friend, Seth Major, in the crimes, and set up Johnson for a maximum prison sentence of 40 years.

Represented by Kalispell attorney Scott Hilderman, Johnson reached a plea agreement with prosecutor Dan Guzynski. It calls for 20 years with 10 suspended on each charge: burglary and operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.

The sentences will run concurrently for a total of 10 years if the agreement is approved by a judge.

Johnson said he entered the closed bar through the roof and let Major in through a door. Major was to cut the electricity to the building and act as a lookout.

The men removed the safe and later opened it with pry tools and a torch.

Johnson testified that they found $8,000 inside, plus some checks.

The bar manager told police there should have been $35,000 inside the safe.

The safe was found two days later in the Flathead River near the House of Mystery.

Johnson was arrested after he allegedly crossed the Canadian border illegally. Officials have said he routinely went there to buy ephedrine - a key component of methamphetamine - in Canada, where its sale is legal.

When he was arrested, Johnson had $5,000, some methamphetamine and a $2,300 check made out to the owner of Fatt Boys.

He testified Thursday that the cash was his share of the money he split with Major, plus $1,000 of his own.

Major's criminal charges are pending.

A restitution hearing will be needed to determine how much money Johnson owes the bar.

Kalispell Police detective Jim Wardensky said federal charges may be filed against Johnson for his actions in crossing the Canadian border.

He will be sentenced on the local charges by District Judge Stewart Stadler on Aug. 3.

Guzynski said Johnson's conviction was the result of cooperation by the U.S. Attorney's office, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Kalispell Police, particularly Wardensky.

"They have all done a tremendous job in solving this burglary," Guzynski said.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com