Larry Kline
Havre Daily News
lkline@havredailynews.com
The arrests of three Havre-area men last month in Great Falls for possession of cocaine were the result of a sting operation conducted by two regional drug task forces, according to charging documents filed in state District Court in Great Falls.
The Cascade County Attorney's Office on Friday filed a felony charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs against Jerald Edward Mellem, 60, of Havre; Gregory Wayne Munson, 54, of Havre; and Donald Ralph Kline, 49, of Kremlin.
The three men were arrested Dec. 14 at the Halftime Sports Bar in Great Falls, the documents said.
Agents from the West Central Drug Task Force, based in Missoula, and the Central Montana Drug Task Force met at the bar at 1:30 p.m. that day after holding a briefing to coordinate the “drug reversal operation.”
“A subject from Havre, identified as Jerald Mellem, was expected to arrive in Great Falls at 2:00 p.m. for the purpose of meeting a subject to acquire one kilogram of cocaine,” a charging document said. “Mellem was expected to have a large sum of cash with him.”
Mellem arrived about 2 p.m. in a white pickup with two male passengers, later identified as Kline and Munson, the document said. He dropped the two men off in front of the bar and proceeded to the east side of the building.
“Mellem met with his associate in the associate's vehicle and was subsequently taken into custody ...,” the document said.
The court documents did not say whether Mellem had exchanged any money or received any drugs.
In a subsequent search, agents found a small vial containing cocaine in Mellem's right front pants pocket, the document said.
Munson and Kline were taken into custody as well, the document said. In subsequent searches, a small bottle containing cocaine was found in Munson's left front pants pocket, and a film canister containing cocaine was found in Kline's right front pants pocket.
An agent with the Central Montana Drug Task Force in Great Falls has said that Mellem was found with 5.4 grams of cocaine; Kline was found with 9 grams; and Munson, who owns the Hi-Line Motel, was found with 4 grams.
The agent today referred inquiries to the West Central task force. Task force commander Lee Hurd could not be reached for comment.
Mellem has been employed at Bill Baltrusch Contstruction Inc. for more than 20 years, owner Bill Baltrusch said today. He said Mellem is in charge of the office.
Baltrusch would not comment further.
“I don't know anything about it,” he said. “I've got to see what happens.”
Mellem, who Baltrusch said is on vacation, could not be reached for comment.
Kline and Munson also could not be reached for comment.
