C-Falls man faces fourth felony drug charge

A 26-year-old Columbia Falls man sentenced three times for cocaine possession now faces two to five years for possession of heroin.

Bo Gravelin pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court to felony possession of dangerous drugs on Oct. 29.

According to court records, Gravelin’s Flathead drug cases began in May 2006, when he was found in possession of 2 ounces of cocaine.

Northwest Drug Task Force agents had their eye on Gravelin after that, as he was suspected of having ties with Michael Downing, who was later convicted of cocaine trafficking and sentenced to federal prison.

In March 2008, agents received anonymous Crimestoppers tips that Gravelin and Justin Cork, 28, of Columbia Falls, were bringing cocaine to Columbia Falls.

On March 29, 2008, a Flathead County deputy stopped the 2001 Chevy Tahoe the two were in at U.S. 2 and Highway 206. With the assistance of a Border Patrol dog, several bags of cocaine and 2 1/2 Ecstasy pills were found in the vehicle.

Gravelin’s defense attorney argued in a motion to suppress evidence from the search that Gravelin was driving his father’s Tahoe at 30 mph in a 25 zone and that Gravelin had denied permission for a search of the vehicle.

The state responded by claiming the vehicle was traveling “at a high rate of speed” and outlined Gravelin’s and Cork’s alleged drug trafficking history. The state referred to ties with Downing, “controlled” drug buys involving Gravelin and Cork, and Gravelin’s trips to a suspected cocaine distribution house that was under surveillance. The state also said Gravelin had consented to a search of the vehicle.

While a plea deal was being negotiated, a probation officer reported on Nov. 25, 2008, that Columbia Falls police had confiscated six firearms from Gravelin, including two handguns. Gravelin’s father told officials the guns were his.

The probation officer also reported that 15 Soma pills were found in Gravelin’s vehicle, and that Gravelin had made several drug runs to Washington. The probation officer recommended resentencing Gravelin to 15 years in prison, with 10 suspended.

Judge Ted Lympus, however, gave Gravelin a three-year deferred sentence. Judge Katherine Curtis revoked that sentence about four months later after Gravelin was arrested on Feb. 17, 2009, and charged with cocaine possession.

In that case, a NWDTF agent had arranged with a woman to purchase two ounces of cocaine for $3,350. The agent met the woman, accompanied by Gravelin, in the Super 1 Foods parking lot in Evergreen.

Following a plea deal, Judge Curtis on Aug. 20, 2009 gave Gravelin a 10-year suspended sentence for the 2009 case and a 10-year sentence with five suspended for the revoked 2008 case.

Gravelin went off to boot camp at the Treasure State Correctional Training Center on Jan. 13, 2010 and graduated five months later. His next stop was the Great Falls Aftercare Program.

Gravelin’s most recent case began in September this year when NWDTF agents received a tip that Gravelin was in possession of heroin. When they arrived at his job site, Gravelin walked out the back door.

Agents allegedly found two syringes, a spoon and a baggie of heroin in the snow outside the paving business’s office. A search of Gravelin’s North Hilltop Road home uncovered spoons with heroin residue. Gravelin allegedly admitted the items found in the snow were his.