Man pleads not guilty to drug possession

Dylan Lloyd Herman, 26, pleaded not guilty to felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and felony theft in Flathead County District Court July 21 after allegedly leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed car chase.

According to court documents, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kalispell Fire Department about a man passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle on Whitefish Stage Road on July 9.

When a deputy arrived, he told dispatchers he saw a small, digital scale with what was believed to be drug residue. Before the officer could determine the man’s condition, he fled the scene.

Officers caught up with Herman in a parking lot. When asked for his driver’s license, Herman allegedly said he did not have one. Officers learned that Herman was on felony probation and contacted his probation officer.

At the probation officer’s request, officers searched the vehicle and reportedly found a spoon with residue, “jewel baggies” with residue, a small digital scale with residue, a glass marijuana pipe and two small balls of suspected heroin and currency from multiple countries, according to court documents. The suspected heroin was sent to be tested and results came back positive for the drug.

Herman was then transported to the Sheriff’s Office, where he asked to speak with Northwest Drug Task Force agents, indicating he wanted to help them and was released on the alleged understanding he would meet with agents the next day, according to court documents.

On July 10, task force agents met with Herman, who later allegedly went to a parking lot and left in a stolen vehicle.

Officers located the stolen vehicle, which was abandoned on East Reserve Drive, and received a tip on Herman’s whereabouts. Herman reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle when agents attempted to make contact. Agents pursued the vehicle and Herman sped through a stop sign at the intersection of Holt Stage Road and Montana 35 going about 80 mph, according to court documents. The chase ended when Herman eventually stopped the vehicle and was taken into custody.

A passenger of Herman’s told officers that earlier in the day she was with him in the alleged stolen vehicle and the pair drove to the river and abandoned it. A second witness confirmed that on July 10, Herman was at his residence with the stolen vehicle.

Herman faces a maximum 10-year sentence in Montana State Prison and a fine up to $50,000, plus restitution, if convicted of felony theft. If convicted of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs Herman faces a two- to five-year term and fine of $50,000.

Herman previously was convicted of felony criminal possession with intent to distribute in December 2009 and was sentenced to 10 years at the Department of Corrections with five years suspended.

In addition to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, Herman is currently being held at the Flathead County Detention Center on probation violations, revocation of suspended/deferred sentence and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

A jury trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 17, 2017.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.