Federal Warrant Issued for 1980s ‘Mountain Man’

HELENA, Montana (AP) — Federal authorities are issuing new drug charges against one of the notorious 1980s "mountain men" who gained notoriety for kidnapping a world class athlete and eluding authorities for months.

Dan Nichols is also wanted by Jefferson County officials for failing to appear for drug charges received at last summer's rock concert in Three Forks.

He is the son of Don Nichols, who comes up for parole later this month for the 1984 kidnapping of a biathlete he hoped to keep as a wife for his son.

Federal charges released Wednesday accuse Dan Nichols, Christopher Wayne Williams and Christopher J. Lindsey of various drug and gun crimes.

Police say the group grew and distributed marijuana worth more than $1.7 million in several Montana cities.