Box Elder man sentenced to a year of prison for drug trafficking

GREAT FALLS - A Box Elder man who was involved in a bar shooting and later found with notable amounts of illegal drugs in his home was sentenced today to 13 months, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.

Harold Blake Whitford, Sr., 57, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that Whitford was keeping notable quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in his home.

In the early hours of March 28, 2024, law enforcement was called to D and L Bar on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation after patrons reported a shooting. Surveillance video showed the two gunmen arrive at the bar and then leave in a pickup truck, which law enforcement later found parked in front of Whitford's house.

After confirming the pickup was the same used in the shooting, officers obtained a warrant and searched Whitford's residence where they found 489 fentanyl pills in a plastic baggie; 27 small baggies, each with 10 fentanyl pills; a baggie with powder; and two baggies with meth. Officers also found a scale, a rifle, and a piece of paper listing quantities and prices. A week later, Whitford was arrested on an outstanding warrant in front of his house. In his shirt pocket officers found more fentanyl pills. In total, Whitford had 40.1 grams of meth, 79.9 grams of fentanyl, and 32.6 grams of cocaine.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.