Missoula Man Sentenced for Dealing Meth

A Missoula man shot by police during a drug sting has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison.

The Missoulian reports that Harry Louis Steven Van Pelt was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to felony methamphetamine distribution.

Van Pelt was shot in the leg on June 28 after an undercover law enforcement officer arranged to purchase 9 ounces of meth from Van Pelt.

Missoula County Sheriff's Detective Jonathan Stineford shot Van Pelt when he and his partner approached Van Pelt in his parked car.

Police say Van Pelt initially complied with police commands but suddenly lowered his arms as if grabbing a gun.

Stineford fired twice into Van Pelt's door, hitting Van Pelt in the leg.

Stineford was later cleared in the shooting.