Ronan woman admits to dealing drugs

Brandy Ann Unruh, 45, of Ronan, pleaded guilty in District Court in Polson Aug. 29 to criminal possession with intent to distribute and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that comes with a joint recommendation of a five-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections on the intent-to-distribute charge. The recommendation for the possession charge is that sentencing be deferred for three years. The judge is not bound to the agreement.

According to court records, on July 5, 2023, Unruh was spotted by law enforcement officers driving to and entering a residence in Pablo that is frequented by known drug users. A confidential informant had previously indicated to law enforcement that they had witnessed Unruh sell fentanyl pills to others numerous times.

When Unruh left the suspected “drug” house, she failed to come to a complete stop at a marked intersection. That gave law enforcement probable cause to make a traffic stop on her vehicle.

The investigation that followed led to the discovery of $11,043 cash and 42 suspected fentanyl pills. Unruh claimed she had won money at a casino, just cashed two paychecks, got a bonus, inherited $4,000 and was carrying her daughter’s Social Security money.

Unruh later explained that she would travel to Spokane and return with 400 pills per month. She also indicated that on one occasion, she returned with 1,000 pills. Unruh gave investigators the security code to access messages on a mobile device that allegedly referred to dealing drugs.

Judge John A. Mercer set a sentencing date of Oct. 17. Unruh remains at liberty.