Troy-area drug dealer gets three year sentence

A Troy area drug dealer was sentenced to a three-year commitment to the Department of Corrections.

The State of Montana put forth a motion to revoke Sarah Kaci Larhea Sullivan’s previously set parole due to multiple violations on Sullivan’s part after she was given a deferred imposition of sentence for distributing dangerous drugs.

Sullivan was remanded into custody of the Department of Corrections after 19th Judicial District Court Judge James Wheelis granted the motion, sentencing her to three years in prison, with mandatory drug treatments at the Montana Chemical Dependency Center, and credit against her sentence for prior time incarcerated. The sentence was recommended by Adult Probation and Parole Officer Steve Watson, who alleged 11 violations on Sullivan’s part.

Sullivan had allegedly been involved in a traffic accident near Troy in September, and failed to report it. In addition, she faced allegations of using alcohol and abusing oxycodone. The oxycodone abuse was proven correct by a urinalysis.

At her hearing, Sullivan denied any involvement in the accident, but admitted to the allegations of drug and alcohol abuse during the period of her probation.

In court, Defense Attorney William Managhan spoke regarding Sullivan’s living situation, as she is a primary caregiver for a minor. Managhan asked Watson if he would change his recommendation based on this information. Watson stood by his recommendation.

“I think she really needs this,” said Watson.

Previously, Sullivan had a three-year deferred sentence, with the conditions of her parole being upholding the law and refraining from the use of alcohol and illegal drugs during her period of parole.

An arrest warrant was issued in February for Sullivan, for five counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. Under the terms of a plea agreement with the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office, she admitted to one count of the charges, with the others being dismissed. Her sentence was deferred, with an opportunity to get help and the possibility that the charges could be dropped. As part of her rehabilitation, Sullivan underwent inpatient treatment at the Montana Chemical Dependency Center, from July 12 to Aug. 9, 2015.

She was immediately remanded to the custody of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for transfer to the Montana Department of Corrections.