Gadaire/Matt Meth Trial
 | Author:
Dee Gannon, MT43 News Correspondent
MT43 News Correspondent |
Gadaire/Matt Meth Trial
Dee Gannon
MT43 News Correspondent
Monday, July 17, found a room full of potential jurors, in a procedure called "voir dire" - that is essentially picking a jury. Folks are asked questions by both the defense and prosecution. In this case, Cory Swanson for the prosecution and Paulette Polenrite for Joseph Matt, the accused.
The jury of 12 is picked, along with an alternate (if a juror should become ill during trial). The jury selection was complete at 11:19 am; with jury instructions given by both sides before lunch. After lunch opening statements were given by both sides.
The State called Andrea Flores to the stand, the witness who called 911. She described a vehicle being driven erratically south of Townsend.
Sgt. Jamie Buck was next to testify; saying he answered the call. He saw the vehicle at the four-way stop and got behind the vehicle in question, putting his lights on.
The car stopped in front of Town Pump and Buck approached the vehicle. Levi Gadaire, driver, (who Buck recognized from school) was nervous and said that he had used meth earlier in the day. After asking the passenger, Joseph Matt for his ID, it was determined that he was under the control of Adult Probation and Parole.
Buck made a phone call to Matt’s probation officer to get permission to search the vehicle. After an affirmative answer, Buck found three containers in the car - two baggies and one clear plastic bottle. He also found a zippered bag with a scale, small baggies and a mirror. They all field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Both men were arrested. Each step was recorded by body cam, and shown to the jury. Weighing the contraband on site: a bag with 30.6 grams (1 ounce minus weight of bag), a bag with 30.3 grams (1 ounce minus weight of bag) and 11.6 grams in the plastic container.
Buck contacted the State Crime Lab for further assistance. Buck seized Gadaire’s phone and asked Matt for his. He said that his was broken, so he had been using friends’ phones to use the calling feature.
When the Defense questioned Buck, he said the drugs were not in plain sight. Ms. Polenrite asked if they had sent the drugs in for DNA or fingerprint analysis, Buck replied, “No. I assumed they had been through many hands.”
The State called Rachel David, an evidence tech, specializing in cell phone recovery. Exhibit 9, dated February 15, 2023, shows 1162 pages of extracted data. Alyssa Stultz, Forensic Scientist; stated that the evidence is in an evidence locker, which is generally accepted within the Law Enforcement community. She used a Spectrometer to test the packages, which proved to be methamphetamine. Exhibit 8.
Levi Gadaire was called to testify. He said he had been in sober living since this incident; that in fact, this arrest saved his life and got him on the right track. He stated that he had lost his leg in 2021 and the pain in his leg is always intense. “I always wanted someone to ride with me. It was easier for me (because having a ‘big guy’ with me gave me confidence, a witness and help if needed). If someone could help me, I always ‘treated’ them with money or product.
He stated that he got drugs that day at the Three Forks Town Pump (at the intersection of I-90 and 287) with Joseph Matt with him. “I had some scratch tickets and told ‘Jo Jo’ to cash them in and go to the casino. While he was busy, I met with a person from Belgrade; he fronted me two ounces; one for me to sell and one for Matt to sell. I was going to give Matt either product or cash to accompany me on my trip.
Gadaire pled Guilty to two charges: an amended charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. He was asked during his Change of Plea if he needed treatment. “Yes, please! I was using and need help!”.
During this incident, he was happy and grateful that Joseph Matt was with him this day. “If he was not there to keep me awake, I would have crashed, and would be dead.”
The State called Sgt. Matthew Rygard of the Missouri River Drug Task Force to testify. He stated that he interviewed Matt on February 1, 2023, and asked if any DNA or fingerprints would be found; Matt answered “no”.
The jury left to deliberate on Tuesday, July 18, at lunchtime. They came back with the verdict at 4:45 pm.
The verdict returned: criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute: Not Guilty; on the lesser or included charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs: Guilty; on the charge of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia: Not Guilty.
The sentencing for Levi Gadaire, who took a plea bargain to charges of possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, will be Friday, August 11.
Joseph Matt will have his sentencing on a charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs on August 18.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: State Justice Department
Image 1 Caption: Joseph Matt
Photo Credits: State Justice Department
