Columbia Falls man charged in federal drug case

A Columbia Falls man who has cycled in and out of prison during the past two decades for possessing and distributing drugs is facing federal charges for more alleged drug activity.

Wade Patrick Wright, 48, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court to felony charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

 If convicted of the most serious charges contained in the indictment, Wright faces up to life in prison, $1 million in fines and five years supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

A grand jury in October 2015 found there is enough evidence for the charges against Wright to move forward.

Most of the details of the case are sealed, but the indictment alleges that Wright was dealing methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms on April 22, 2015, in Flathead County.

Wright allegedly was also found with a Marlin Model 200 sawed-off shotgun and Norinko semiautomatic rifle. The sawed-off shotgun was 24 inches long, two inches shorter than allowed by federal law. Felons are not allowed by federal law to be in possession of firearms.

Wright was convicted of distributing dangerous drugs in Flathead District Court in November 2015 and 1994. The same court found Wright guilty of criminal possession of dangerous drugs in 1996.

Wright was convicted of felony burglary in Cascade County in 2000.

Wright remains in federal custody.