Troy drug dealer facing life in prison

Sarah Kaci Learhea Sullivan, the Troy-area drug dealer known as “big ol’ Kaci,” is facing life in prision after reportedly failing to comply with the terms of her deferred sentence.

Adult Probation and Parole Officer Steve Watson filed a petition to revoke Sullivan’s deferred sentence Sept. 24, 2015, in Montana’s 19th Judicial District Court, citing Sullivan’s inability to remain free of drugs and alcohol and the need for more substantial treament.

“The defendant was unable to stay sober while on probation,” Watson wrote in his violation report. “The department was patient with the defendant and tried different treatment options. The defendant was involved in outpatient services at Flathead Chemical Dependency Center. On July 12, 2015, the defendant was placed in inpatient treatment at Montana Chemical Dependency Center. She completed inpatient treatment on Aug. 9, 2015. The defendant has continued to abuse substances and needs a higher level of treatment.”

Watson’s report alleges 11 violations of two of the conditions of Sullivan’s release: That she comply with all municipal, county, state and federal laws and immediately report any arrest or contact with law enforcement within 72 hours and that she refrain from any alcohol or illegal drug use.

Watson  alleged Sullivan violated the first condition Sept. 11, 2015, based upon a traffic accident near Troy. Montana Highway Patrol Officer Anthony Jenson investigated the crash and reported Sullivan had been at a residence on Garrison Loop Road and had been drinking. She reportedly became angry during a campfire gathering and left. A witness reported Sullivan “drove away from the residence quite aggressively and crashed at the end of the driveway.”

Jenson said he made contact with Sullivan, who denied having consumed any alcohol at the party and said she felt the crash did not require a report. Jenson cited her for failure to report the crash by the quickest means possible and failing to provide proof of insurance, which Watson determined to be a violation of the terms of Sullivan’s deferred sentence.

Watson also noted 10 separate violations of the second condition, the prohibition on the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Between April 30, 2015, and Sept. 10, 2015. Watson reported five positive urinalysis tests for oxycodone use, three positive alcohol tests and one positive for methamphetamine use. Attached to Watson’s report were also two written admissions of illegal oxycodone use by Sullivan, on May 11, 2015, and June 21, 2015.

Sullivan entered a guilty plea to one count of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs April 12, 2015. The crime is punishable by two years to life in prison, but Sullivan was given a two-year deferred imposition of sentence as part of her plea agreement with the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office. Also included in the plea deal was the dismissal of four additional felony counts of criminal distribution of drugs. The deferred imposition allowed her to avoid jail or prison time for the conviction, on the condition that she successfully complete probation.

Sullivan was initially charged with five felony counts, all criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, and was arrested Feb. 9, 2015. The arrest following a nearly two-year long investigation into Sullivan conducted between Dec. 2011 and Sept. 2013. The investigation report indicated Sullivan sold oxycodone on five separate occasions to three different confidential informants. Many of the transactions were recorded by police surveillance equipment.

The deferred imposition of sentence allowed Sullivan to avoid jail time for the conviction and the possibility of having the charge dropped, should she successfully complete probation. Failure to comply, however, can result in the imposition of the full prison sentence, at the discretion of the judge. In these cases, the prosecution is not required to establish proof beyond a reasonable doubt, nor is the defendant entitled to a trial by jury. The case is handled like a probation or parole violation because the defendant has already entered a guilty plea to the charge.

Sullivan’s case was scheduled for a hearing Monday, Oct. 19, in Judge James Wheelis’ courtroom. Sullivan’s attorney, William Managham, requested a three-week continuance in the case, on the basis of a pending agreement with the prosecution. Wheelis granted the request and put off the disposition of the petition to revoke until Nov. 9.