West Fargo (trfnews.i234.me) — A West Fargo man will spend 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in a major meth and fentanyl case.
Austin Muck, 32, was sentenced Tuesday, March 17, in U.S. District Court. He admitted guilt on federal drug trafficking charges. Court records said the case involved large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Chase Led To Arrest
Muck was arrested in November 2024 after trying to flee police in West Fargo. Authorities used a PIT maneuver near the 2000 block of Sheyenne Street. The chase continued before officers finally took him into custody.
Police found nearly $5,000 in his pockets. They also found a white powdered substance. Soon after the arrest, Drug Enforcement Administration agents searched his Fargo home. Agents reported finding a small amount of drugs and about $28,000 in cash.
Federal court documents said a confidential informant identified Muck as a large meth buyer. The informant said Muck bought about one pound every two to three days. Investigators estimated he received about 20 to 25 pounds in total.
Judge Gave Lesser Sentence
Muck faced a minimum sentence of 10 years. Sentencing rules called for about 27 years because of his criminal history. Prosecutor Matthew Kopp asked for 250 months in prison. Defense attorney Adam Justinger asked for 188 months.
Justinger said Muck had tried treatment programs and wanted to change. He also said Muck struggled with addiction and mental health issues for years. In court, Muck apologized to the community and said he wanted to learn from his mistakes.
Chief U.S. District Judge Peter Welte said Muck had one of the highest possible risk scores in the presentence report. Still, Welte said Muck’s early guilty plea, treatment efforts, and family support mattered.
Welte sentenced Muck to 240 months, or 20 years, in prison. He will also receive credit for time already served in the Cass County Jail. The judge ordered that he be housed as close to Fargo as possible, so family can visit.
Drug Threat Still Growing
The case is part of a larger federal crackdown. Muck was among 38 people charged last year in 12 federal drug cases. Those cases involved fentanyl, meth, cocaine, or a mix of those drugs.
Officials continue to warn that fentanyl remains a major threat in North Dakota communities. Readers can learn more through the DEA fentanyl facts page, the North Dakota opioid resource page, the West Fargo Police Department, and the U.S. District Court for North Dakota.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.