Ronan woman sentenced for heroin possession

A Ronan woman was sentenced in Polson District Court Jan. 10 to four years with the Montana Department of Corrections, with all that time suspended, on one count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. 

Talia Jodeen Richardson, 32, entered into a plea agreement in October that dismisses a more serious offense of criminal possession with intent to distribute.

According to charging documents, on March 15, 2017, drug agents, working with law enforcement officers and security forces at KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson, observed a gray Jeep Wrangler parked at the hotel. While working with a confidential informant, the agents learned that the driver of the Jeep was possibly dealing large quantities of heroin out of one of the rooms. 

Surveillance was set up by the agents who worked in partnership with hotel security, the Montana Highway Patrol and Polson Police. With knowledge that Richardson did not have a valid driver’s license, a traffic stop was made on the Jeep as agents witnessed Richardson drive it away from the hotel. 

Two other occupants were in the Jeep, an adult female and a 12-year-old girl. The adult female was later identified as Shayla Fyant, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant. 

A search of the Jeep turned up a baggie containing more than 35 grams of heroin, or more than 350 doses, according to the U. S. Department of Justice. Richardson claimed she found the baggie cleaning a residence the night before.

Judge Molly Owen gave Richardson credit for having already served two days in jail.