Tobacco-shop owner found innocent

The Daily Inter Lake

A federal jury on Thursday found Evergreen businessman Bradford Moore not guilty of possession of drug paraphernalia for sale.

Moore, 46, is owner of Heads Up Tobacco Shop on U.S. 2. He was one of four business owners across the state arrested in a raid by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement department. The local drug team also took part in Moore's arrest.

Moore faced possible time in federal prison for the federal paraphernalia charge. He was defended at trial by Whitefish attorney Jack Quatman.

The trial in Missoula began Monday and concluded after the jury deliberated for less than two hours before acquitting Moore.

Quatman's defense of Moore was that all of the items sold at the businesses can be used for smoking tobacco. Moore also is licensed to sell tobacco.

One of the other business owners who was charged was convicted. One pleaded guilty. Another is scheduled for trial Monday.

Moore's business was shut down about five years ago when Heads Up was on Main Street in Kalispell. The city has a statute against selling drug paraphernalia. Flathead County does not and Moore moved his business to the Evergreen area.

He received a suspended sentenced in 1989 for felony possession of materials used to manufacture drugs.