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Former Griz Hoops Player Faces Drug Charges

By Beacon Staff

BILLINGS — A physical therapist and former University of Montana basketball player faces federal drug charges.

The Billings Gazette reports Kevin Criswell pleaded not guilty Tuesday to conspiracy and acquiring hydrocodone and oxycodone by forgery, fraud or subterfuge. The crimes are alleged to have happened in Scobey between January 2011 and August 2012.

Criswell’s co-defendant, 33-year-old Cale Handran of Scobey, pleaded not guilty on March 25 and was released pending trial. Officials have said the case involves 91 victims.

The indictment, which was unsealed Tuesday, provides no details on the charges.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby appointed a federal public defender to represent Criswell and ordered Criswell to contribute $3,500 to his defense.

Criswell, a Colstrip native, is Montana’s No. 4 career scorer with 1,663 points between 2002 and 2006.