Federal authorities took an accused methamphetamine dealer into custody this past week.

Tribal Criminal Investigator Kenny Trottier said they arrested Dwain Francis Blach, 58, on meth related charges.

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, in Great Falls Federal Court, Balch, aka Waldo, was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. He pled not guilty and is being held pending further court proceedings.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Balch faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. The FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force and Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case.