Man sentenced for selling drugs on work break

Shannon J. Walston, born in 1992, received a three-year suspended sentence under the supervision of the Department of Corrections for selling illegal drugs during his break while working at a Havre restaurant.

Walston’s felony conviction of criminal possession with intent to distribute was pursuant to a plea deal struck earlier in the year. He was also ordered to pay a $473.75 drug storage fine.

The investigation began in February 2015, when a probation and parole officer contacted the Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force to tell them that two workers employed by a Third Avenue restaurant may have been selling cocaine and marijuana outside of the restaurant during their breaks. Walston was one of the two accused.

Task Force agents and probation officers went to Walston’s home and were given permission to search the home, where they were told drugs and paraphernalia would be found by the people who lived there.

A marijuana bong, a black bag with marijuana, 10 baggies with 1/8 quantities of marijuana, and a digital scale were found. A total of 53 grams of marijuana was found.

When interviewed, Walston said he he drove to Kalispell to get the marijuana.