PF man sentenced to more than 11 years for drug distribution
COEUR D’ALENE — Adam Christopher Horty, 57, of Post Falls was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 137 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis said Thursday.
U.S. Circuit Judge Richard C. Tallman, sitting as a U.S. District Court judge, also ordered Horty to pay a $1,000 fine and serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
In November 2019, a federal jury in Coeur d’Alene convicted Horty of three counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and one count of felon in possession of firearms.
Enforcement officials began investigating Horty in July of 2018 for distributing methamphetamine out of a home in Post Falls, a press release said.
During the investigation, law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Horty at this residence on three occasions. On August 14, 2018, law enforcement served a search warrant at Horty’s residence. He was found in possession of 230 grams of actual methamphetamine and drug distribution paraphernalia. Officers also located three firearms in Horty’s bedroom.
Horty has multiple prior felony convictions in the state of Washington, which prohibit him from possessing firearms.
In other federal cases:
• COEUR D'ALENE – Joseph Louis James, 37, of Worley, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 46 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis said Thursday in a press release.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered James to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. James pleaded guilty to the charge on June 10, 2020.
According to court records, on March 6, 2020, a Coeur d’Alene Tribal police officer attempted to pull over the vehicle James was in for a traffic violation. Instead of pulling over, the vehicle led the officer on a high-speed chase.
During the chase, multiple gunshots came from the passenger side of the vehicle toward the pursing officer’s vehicle. Neither the officer nor his vehicle were struck. Due to safety concerns, the officer ended the pursuit, the release said.
Later, officers located the vehicle, James, and others involved in the incident in Spokane. During James’ arrest, officers located the firearm used during the police pursuit. During his interview, James admitted to possessing the firearm prior to the car chase, the press release said.
James is prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions.
• COEUR D'ALENE – Robert Patrick Chiefstick, 45, of Missoula, Montana, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 121 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Chiefstick serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Chiefstick pleaded guilty to the charge on June 17, 2020.
This case was investigated by the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, Rathdrum Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Idaho State Police.