Pocatello man pleads to drug charges in U.S. District Court
A Pocatello man could face up to life in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to federal drug and weapons charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said Christopher Keeling,30, entered the plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms by a convicted felon in U.S. District Court in Pocatello.
According to a plea agreement, Keeling admitted distributing in excess of fifty grams of actual methamphetamine to a confidential informant and undercover officer in Pocatello and Idaho Falls between October 2014 and June 9, 2015.
On June 9, officers served a search warrant on Keeling’s Pocatello residence. During a search, officers found several handguns and shotguns. Keeling had been convicted prior to that date of felony possession of a controlled substance.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine is punishable by ten years to life in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Keeling is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge on May 23 in Pocatello.
The case was investigated by the Idaho State Police, Pocatello Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
