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Aaron William Freeman, 22, Minot, pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing $600 in buy fund money from the Ward County Narcotics Task Force and possession of drug paraphernalia, both Class C felonies.
Under the terms of a plea deal, Freeman was sentenced to one year in jail, with all suspended but the 27 days he already served, and two years of supervised probation. He must also pay $525 in court costs and obtain a chemical dependency evaluation.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court, a confidential informant from the Task Force had arranged to buy 10 oxycodone pills from Freeman in the parking lot of the Minot Family YMCA. The informant gave Freeman the money. Freeman said he had to go to another car to get the pills and then jumped into the back seat of another vehicle driven by Ryan Lafontaine, of Belcourt. Lafontaine then drove off at a high rate of speed. The car was eventually stopped in Plaza by a Mountrail County Deputy.
There was a stolen handgun and 12 1/2 oxycodone pills near Freeman when he was arrested, along with suspected drug residue.
The state dismissed a conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance charge, a Class B felony, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class A felony, against Freeman in June.
The state dismissed a conspiracy to deliver charge against Lafontaine in June and a reckless driving charge on Sept. 13 against Lafontaine.
Lafontaine pleaded guilty on Sept. 13 to conspiracy to commit theft, a Class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 360 days in jail, all suspended but the 12 days he has already served, and 18 months supervised probation. He must also pay $625 in court costs.
Restitution is joint between Freeman and Lafontaine.
The handgun is to be returned to its lawful owner.