HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A judge has denied the temporary release of a convicted medical marijuana provider who faces a possible 92-year prison sentence.
Chris Williams was convicted of eight drug and weapons counts after refusing to take a plea deal like Montana Cannabis' three other owners.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4.
Williams asked to be released from jail until that date. He planned to live with a friend in Bozeman, where his son attends Montana State University, and work as a financial adviser.
On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong denied the request.
Strong says Williams has few ties to Bozeman and is a flight risk. The judge says Williams is not trained for the job he plans to take, so he could pose a financial danger to the community.
