Kalispell man pleads guilty to selling heroin

A Kalispell man has pleaded guilty to a reduced drug charge after allegedly selling a gram of heroin.

Austin Quade Russell, 26, entered the plea to felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute on Nov. 4 in Flathead District Court. He initially was charged with felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.

A court document alleges Russell sold the heroin for $350 to a person directed to him by Brandon Stanfield, whom Russell is alleged to have been supplying. Stanfield has been convicted of his own drug charges following a September trial.

If convicted of his original charge, Russell would have faced between two years and life in prison as well as a fine of up to $50,000.