Federal agencies arrest three

Nine governmental law-enforcement agencies combined manpower and intelligence recently to arrest three Lincoln County men in an investigation that netted methamphetamine, cash and firearms.

Arrested were Don Lyle, Stuart Pattie and Jesus Heriberto Ramirez-Soto during the April 13 probe that seized about two pounds of methamphetamine, 24 weapons, $6,460 in U.S currency, two vehicles and several hundred rounds of assorted ammunition. Ages and hometowns of the three were not released. The arrests were made in Havre, according to The Western News inquiry for information made to the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The three are known to Lincoln County law-enforcement agencies. Asked to comment about the arrests, and Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe instead referred inquiries to the Justice Department and ICE. While Lyle and Pattie are U.S. citizens, Ramirez-Soto is a Mexican national, whose alias includes Eddie Rodriguez.

Involved in the arrests were nine state and federal agencies, consisting of the offices of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Kalispell and Great Falls, ICE, Montana Department of Criminal Investigations, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, Lincoln County and Hill County sheriff departments, Havre Police Department, the U.S. Forest Service canine unit and the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area agency. 

Lyle, Pattie and Ramirez-Soto made their initial appearance before a federal magistrate in Great Falls on Monday, April 15, according to Carl Rusnok, the Communications Director for ICE in New York City.

The three were held for charges of drug possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance.  

All were ordered held after a detention hearing.

No further information could be made available, Rusnok said.