Kalispell man admits to burglary, drug deal

A Kalispell man admitted on May 22 to burglary and drug dealing charges in accordance with a plea deal with the state that dismissed two additional charges.

Kaylub Michael Burns, 22, pleaded guilty through an Alford plea to the burglary charge and guilty to the drug distribution charge before Flathead District Court.

Court documents state that Burns was caught last year at a Coin Star with around $700 worth of quarters. Officers became suspicious because a car wash had been robbed the night before of hundreds of dollars in quarters, tools and other property worth between $15,000-$20,000.

A search of Burns’ backpack revealed what were believed to be “robbery tools” and several checks in the name of the car wash. Tools associated with the car wash were found in a house where Burns was staying.

In September 2016, a confidential informant for the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force bought a gram of heroin from Burns for $300.

Burns claimed not to remember the transaction between he and the informant because of how long ago it happened, but pleaded guilty to distribution because he remembered being in a house with a woman who was weighing heroin and remembered the time and date the transaction allegedly occurred.

Sentencing is set for July 15.

Following the plea agreement, both the state and defense will request a five-year commitment with the Department of Corrections for the burglary charge and a consecutive five-year commitment with the department for the distribution charge.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.