Local residents plead not guilty to federal drug charges

Nicole Lee Chappel, 29, of Kalispell, pleaded not guilty in federal court on Monday to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. She appeared in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Chappel faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Chappel was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kalispell Police Department.

Kevin Kenneth Gaethle, 38, of Lakeside, pleaded not guilty on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gaethle faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Gaethle was detained pending further proceedings. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kalispell Police Department.