Man caught with fugitive faces felony charge

A Kalispell man has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge after being caught with a local fugitive.

Theron Haupt, 35, was arrested on Dec. 12, 2013, after Northwest Drug Task Force agents and deputies surrounded 38-year-old Christopher Ferrari of Whitefish at the Travelodge motel at Main and Idaho streets. Ferrari had been on the run since June of that year after being charged in a case involving mailing methamphetamine.

According to a court document, Haupt rented the motel room, and was detained after leaving prior to the standoff with Ferrari. A search warrant later executed on the room and a minivan allegedly turned up a digital scale, a 9-millimeter firearm and a clear plastic bag containing several smaller bags of methamphetamine.

The document claims Haupt admitted the meth found in the vehicle — approximately 19.6 grams — was his, and he was given the drugs by Ferrari to help him get out of town. He also allegedly admitted he planned to sell the meth.

Haupt entered his plea Feb. 6 in Flathead District Court to felony criminal possession with intent to distribute, and faces up to 20 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $50,000 if he is convicted.

He is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $40,000. His next hearing is set for March 5.

Ferrari and Scott Lee Davis, 39, of Kalispell, are each charged with felony conspiracy in the criminal distribution of dangerous drugs after FedEx employees intercepted a package containing one quarter ounce of a white crystalline substance believed to be meth, 26 pills identified as 10-milligram oxycodone and 20 pills identified as 20-milligram oxycodone.

Ferrari is also charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs in a separate case, as well as a felony bail-jumping charge after both he and Davis disappeared.

Davis still has not been located.