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Former judge-elect in northwest Montana pleads guilty to felony drug charges

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Former judge-elect in northwest Montana pleads guilty to felony drug charges


A former northwest Montana judge-elect has pleaded guilty to three felony drug charges and agreed to a three-year deferred sentence after admitting he arranged to buy cocaine while working as a criminal defense attorney and running for district judge.

Kenneth Britton “Britt” Cotter of Polson entered guilty pleas in Lake County District Court to one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and two counts of attempted criminal possession of dangerous drugs, all felonies, under an acknowledgment and waiver of rights and plea agreement filed Nov. 21 in the 20th Judicial District. The case is assigned to District Judge Jennifer Lint.

Cotter was elected without opposition in November 2024 to the 20th Judicial District seat, which covers Lake and Sanders counties, but has since resigned the judgeship. In the plea document, Cotter states he reviewed the investigative file and potential penalties, understands his trial rights and waives them as part of the agreement.

Under the deal, prosecutors and Cotter will jointly recommend that he receive a three-year deferred imposition of sentence on each count, to run concurrently, allowing the felonies to be dismissed if he complies with all conditions. The agreement notes Cotter originally faced a maximum of 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine on the solicitation charge and up to five years and $5,000 on each possession count.

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The plea agreement requires Cotter to submit to a new chemical dependency evaluation, complete any recommended treatment, abstain from alcohol, marijuana and illegal drugs absent a prescription, and avoid bars and marijuana dispensaries. He must also cooperate with the Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel regarding his law license, comply with any probation and monitoring conditions, avoid contact with witnesses, submit a DNA sample and pay prosecution costs, surcharges and fees tied to pretrial drug testing and preparation of a presentence investigation report.

The state’s earlier affidavit in support of filing the charges describes a series of text messages and Venmo payments between Cotter and a Jane Doe between March 2022 and late 2022 that investigators say show him repeatedly arranging to buy cocaine, including payments of $900 and $1,200 labeled as “legal fees” and “work.” It also recounts a November 2024 interview in which Flathead County District Court Judge Amy Eddy told agents Cotter admitted to her that he had bought cocaine from Jane Doe “a long time ago” and said he stopped when he decided to run for judge, adding that he did not want to embarrass the judiciary.

Cotter previously had been ordered to appear for arraignment Jan. 8, 2025, after the state sought leave in December 2024 to file the information formally charging him. The governor’s office received notice of the impending vacancy in the 20th Judicial District in late December; current Judge John Mercer, appointed after Judge Deborah Kim Christopher resigned in April 2024, serves through Jan. 5.

Cotter’s sentencing is set for January 9, 2026.



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French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship

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French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship


Where Khloe Kardashian Stands With Ex French Montana More Than 10 Years After Breakup

French Montana is done keeping up with reality TV.

In fact, he only agreed to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons over a decade ago as a favor to then-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian.

“She said to get on the show,” he exclusively told E! News at the BET Awards on June 28. “And I got on the show. Shout out to Khloe.”

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The “Ever Since U Left Me” rapper, who split with Kardashian in December 2014 after eight months of dating, said the experience was “fun” because her family kept it real. 

“They filmed their real life,” he continued. “And we were part of something together that one time. So it felt great. It didn’t feel like work because they film what they do everyday.”

As for his future in reality TV, the 41-year-old said those days are over, shutting down any prospective offers with a simple, “Negative.” 

Although the “Unforgettable” artist—whose real name is Karim Kharbouch—may not be returning to television anytime soon, he has no problem hanging out with his ex-girlfriend these days. 



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French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Turn the BET Awards Into “ – BET Awards 2026 | BET

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French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Turn the BET Awards Into “ – BET Awards 2026 | BET


French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Turn the BET Awards Into “

06/28/2026

French Montana, Rick Ross and Max B hit the BET Awards stage draped in furs for “Ever Since U Left Me” and “Minks in Miami.”
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Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition

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Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition


GREAT FALLS — For Staff Sgt. Brianna St. Lawrence-Brody, service does not only happen in uniform.

Outside the gates of the base, she works at Benefis as a nurse, Great Falls Public Schools as a school nurse, and comes home as a wife and mom of four. For the Montana Air National Guard, she serves as a command post controller with the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls.

(WATCH: Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition)

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Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition

This year, St. Lawrence-Brody was named the U.S. Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airman of the Year in the Non-Commissioned Officer category.

She said the recognition came as a surprise, especially because her path into the Guard started later than others.

“I joined very late in life,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I joined the Guard right before I turned 40. So for me, every opportunity that’s presented, I want to take the bull by the horns and just run with it and do the best of my ability.”

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined the Guard after finishing nursing school. She said she went straight from nursing school into helping open a COVID unit, while also working at Benefis.

She said that experience was the start of one journey, but not the whole of what she wanted to accomplish.

St. Lawrence-Brody joined the Guard for the opportunities, the challenge and to help build a future for her four children.

“It’s a little bit of a competition for myself,” she said. “Like, if I can do it, why not try my best to achieve it?”

120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

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As a command post controller, she assists in helping move information during emergencies and major events.

“Outside, obviously, I’m a nurse. Inside the Guard, I have nothing to do with the medical field, which is kind of amazing,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “It keeps me on my toes.”

She explained balancing the Guard, two civilian jobs and four children takes support from her family, her employers and her unit. She said Benefis and GFPS have been supportive of her military service.

Her nomination included her deployment experience, training work overseas and involvement across the wing. St. Lawrence-Brody said she deployed to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where she worked with an operations center supporting entities connected to Africa.

But, she says this recognition is not the finish line.

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“This award, it’s not necessarily a landing pad for me,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I want to use it as a springboard.”

brianna award duality.jpg

120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

St. Lawrence-Brody hopes her story encourages others to keep taking on new opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.

“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be okay with doing things afraid,” she said. “I think when you get to be okay with doing things afraid, that’s where you’re going to find the growth.”

She has already won at the Air National Guard level, but she recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the broader Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year process, which includes nominees from the Guard, Reserve and major commands across the Air Force.

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