Havre man sentenced on drug charges

A Havre judge sentenced a drug dealer to five years in prison, then suspended the sentence so the man could continue paying child support.

William Lynn Newbury, 33, Havre, had pleaded guilty to two counts of felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.

In 12th Judicial District Court on Wednesday, Judge John Warner placed Newbury, 33, Havre, under the supervision of the Department of Corrections for five years. He is required to maintain employment and to keep child support payments current during that time.

Newbury pleaded guilty July 16. He had faced a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.

In addition to his suspended sentence, Newbury also must pay a $500 fine for each count to the Hill County Clerk of Court.

A third count of felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs was dismissed July 16 at the request of Hill County Attorney David Rice.

The first charge Newbury pleaded guilty to stems from an incident July 13, 2000. According to court documents, Newbury sold 4.38 grams of cocaine for about $200 in the 1100 block of Cleveland Avenue.

The second count Newbury pleaded guilty to stems from an incident Aug. 29, 2000. According to court documents, Newbury sold about 4.59 grams of methamphetamine for about $225 in the 600 block of Fifth Avenue.