Eureka man pleads guilty to felony drug charge

A Eureka man accused of drug dealing earlier this year recently pleaded guilty.

Dusty Hunter Dunsing, 29, of Eureka, was arrested at a Eureka home on July 24 following a probation check after authorities say he had various type of illegal drugs in his possession, including fentanyl and psychedelic mushrooms, in the presence of a young girl. Law officers also reported finding nearly $6,000 in cash.

Dunsing, who was initially accused of five offenses, including four felonies, pleaded guilty to felony criminal possession of drugs with the intent to distribute.

Other charges of criminal endangerment, use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia, were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Dunsing’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025.

Dunsing first appeared in Lincoln County District Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges on Aug. 12. He returned on Tuesday, Aug. 27 for arraignment on the amended charges and again pleaded not guilty.

According to county deputy Michael Avila, he accompanied a probation officer to a residence on Aspen Glen Road. The defendant was laying on a bed with the girl, but went to a corner in the room when the officers entered. They said he appeared to be trying to get to the bathroom. 

The deputy found a hypodermic needle sticking out of the waistband of Dunsing’s shorts as well as a large plastic bag that Avila believed held methamphetamine. He also found two glass pipes in Dunsing’s possession. Dunsing allegedly said a blue pill was fentanyl and a brownish powder in a clear plastic baggie was fentanyl scratch.

Further searching turned up the money as well as six baggies that held a total of 113.3 grams of a substance that field tested positive for meth. 

The substances were sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for further analysis. Avila believed what he found during the search is common with the sale and distribution of narcotics.

According to Montana Department of Corrections records, Dunsing has convictions in Missoula County for intimidation and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.  

A conviction for intent to distribute may result in a 20-year prison term.