Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
Date: 03-24-2020
Case Style:
United States of America v. Morgan Victor Pitsch
Case Number: 6:19-cr-00006-DWM
Judge: Sam E. Haddon
Court: United States District Court for the District Court for the District of Montana (Lewis and Clark County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Tom Bartleson
Defendant's Attorney:
Call 918-582-6422 for free help finding a great criminal defense lawyer in Helena, Montanta.
Description:
MoreLaw ReceptionistsVOIP Phone and Virtual Receptionist Services
Call 918-582-6422 Today
Helena, MT - The United States of America charged Morgan Victor Pitsch drug trafficking heroin.
A Kalispell man who admitted participating in a Helena armed home invasion of a couple involved in trafficking heroin was sentenced today to six and one-half years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Morgan Victor Pitsch, 25, pleaded guilty in October to robbery affecting commerce and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon presided.
The prosecution said in court records that the FBI learned of a home invasion in Helena in which the victims, a couple, were involved in trafficking heroin. The couple had been given money by co-defendant, Kielan Brett Franklin, to travel to Washington to buy an ounce of heroin. The couple returned with less than an ounce. When the couple did not immediately turn over the heroin, Franklin sent them threatening text messages.
On March 8, 2019, Franklin, Pitsch and co-defendants Arielle Rose Cowser and Gerald Allen Hiler, went to the couple’s residence. Pitsch possessed a pistol during the robbery, while the others searched for drugs, money and other valuables. The robbers fled when they learned that the female victim had secretly dialed 911. They took a small amount of heroin, the female victim’s wedding ring, cell phone and other items.
Hiler pleaded guilty to charges and was sentenced to 11 years and seven months in prison. Franklin has pleaded guilty to charges and is awaiting sentencing. A jury convicted Cowser of robbery charges. Cowser is to be sentenced on June 11.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri River Drug Task Force.
18:1951 (a) and 2 ROBBERY AFFECTING COMMERCE
(2)
18:924(c)(1)(A)(i)and(ii),and 2 POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A CRIME OF VIOLENCE. Count III is subject to a Pinkerton theory of liability
(3)
Outcome: Defendant is sentenced to a term of 18 months on Count II; 60 months on Count III to run consecutive. SR for 3 years on Count II and 5 years on Count III, to run concurrently. Standard and special condition. Special Assessment of $200; No monetary fine.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: