Repeat offender faces more felony drug charges

Flathead District Court is fast becoming a second home for one 31-year-old Kalispell man.

Brandon Stanfield pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and conspiracy in the criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.

Stanfield was arrested on Jan. 26, 2012, just three hours after being released from jail following a bond reduction hearing in another case involving drug sales. At the time of his arrest, he was taking part in a four-person burglary on North Ashley Lake Road.

On Aug. 9, 2012, Stanfield was given a 15-year suspended sentence for his participation in the burglary. In exchange for pleading to felony conspiracy to commit burglary, a further charge of bail jumping was dropped.

Just seven weeks ago, Stanfield pleaded not guilty to felony charges of robbery and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

The newest charges stem from an allegation that Stanfield sold heroin to a confidential informant for the Northwest Drug Task Force as well as connecting the informant directly with his supplier.

The case to which he pleaded not guilty in December 2012 was filed after he allegedly tried to sell two bags of methamphetamine to a man last October. The man reported to police that he refused and Stanfield then threatened him with a clothes iron, breaking down his bathroom door, until he gave Stanfield the keys to his Audi.

If convicted of all charges in both current cases, Stanfield faces a minimum of two years in jail to a maximum of two life terms plus 45 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000, as well as an additional 15 years in prison if his probation in the prior burglary case is revoked.

His next hearing on the possible revocation of his prior sentence is set for Feb. 21. His next hearing in the robbery case is set for March 6. His next hearing in the new case is set for May 8.