Meth trafficker pleads guilty, gains release

A northwest Montana man facing drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop last fall recently pleaded guilty.

Barry Rosenlund, 66, of Kalispell and formerly of Libby, initially pleaded not guilty to one felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to distribute on April 17 in Lincoln County District Court.

But on Aug. 7, Rosenlund, appearing with his attorney Sean Hinchey, changed his plea.

"I plead guilty your honor," Rosenlund said to District Judge Matt Cuffe. The defendant struggled to keep his composure while he spoke.

Hinchey mentioned challenging the traffic stop that led to his client's arrest, but opted not to due to the plea deal.

The agreement calls for a 6-year suspended sentence. Rosenlund is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 20 for sentencing.

Rosenlund sought a release on his own recognizance, which Cuffe granted. He was lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $50,000 bail after being picked up in Kalispell on March 28.

The traffic stop allegedly turned up nearly one pound of methamphetamine in a vehicle Rosenlund was driving on Nov. 14, 2022.

According to the charging document, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy John Hyslop stopped Rosenlund for speeding on U.S. 2 in the Troy area.

Hyslop reported that the defendant seemed nervous, made several inconsistent statements about where he’d been and what he’d been doing. The officer also said Rosenlund had trouble finding documents that he requested.

Hyslop then had a K-9 officer do a sniff search and it alerted on the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained and a crystal-like substance was found. A chemical analysis determined the substance was methamphetamine.

A conviction for possession with intent may result in a maximum term of 20 years in the Montana State Prison.