Joseph pleads guilty to drug possession

An Elmo man admitted to possessing methamphetamine after being involved in an undercover sting operation.

Dale Matthew Joseph, 45, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson Sept. 20 to the amended charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Joseph was initially charged with the more serious offense of criminal possession with intent to distribute, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge as part of a plea agreement.

According to court records, on Aug. 31, 2022, a drug agent was observing a residence in preparation for executing a search warrant there. As he was observing, a woman walked out and got into the driver's side of a Chevy Cruz parked in front of the house. Joseph also came out and was seen placing a black bag in the trunk of the vehicle. He then entered the passenger side.

The driver was known by the drug agent to have a revoked or suspended driver’s license. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the Chevy Cruz and the driver was taken into custody.

A search of the vehicle turned up the black bag which contained syringes, two digital scales, numerous empty baggies, a large bag of methamphetamine, seven smaller bags each containing three grams of methamphetamine and several pill bottles with Joseph’s name on the label. When Joseph was booked into jail, he was in possession of $700 cash.

The plea agreement comes with a joint recommendation of Joseph being sentenced to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with all five years suspended.

Judge Molly Owen set a sentencing date of Nov. 8, and is not bound by the agreement.

Joseph is at liberty.