Michael Ray Downing of Hungry Horse, recently arrested and charged in connection with a burglary ring that targeted seasonal homes and local businesses, is no stranger to Flathead Valley law enforcement.

In August 2006 Downing, then 27, earned the nickname “Cocaine Fairy” after he was busted by the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force near Bigfork. When the authorities arrived, Downing fled out the back door as officers came in through the front. Downing tore open a half-pound bag of cocaine as he ran, creating a big cloud of cocaine as he ducked into the woods, thus the moniker.

He escaped that arrest attempt but was captured soon after. Task Force members found more than 4 pounds of cocaine in the home and $12,000 in cash. 

Downing was charged and ultimately pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute cocaine in 2007.

He was sentenced to 70 months in prison and five years probation. He violated the terms of his probation in a couple of instances for drinking, according to court records, and wasn’t released from federal probation until 2019. 

Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, a member of the drug task force in 2006, said he remembered Downing well. 

Downing, now 46, was just as bold with this latest string of alleged burglaries.  

Heino said law enforcement had Downing in their sights, but then he allegedly tried to tear a safe out of a house with a chain and a side-by-side up Half Moon Road, which led to his May 6 arrest by the regional SWAT team at Downing’s Mountain Drive home in Hungry Horse. 

Since October 2024, over 15 burglary cases across Flathead County have been linked to Downing and his crew, Heino said. 

The vast majority of the targeted properties have been vacant residences, often seasonal homes. 

Heino said investigators are continuing to tie together the burglaries as more information comes in, but he said he could confirm that vehicles stolen from Glacier Raft Co. last year have been linked to Downing. 

Columbia Falls Police Chief Chad Stephens said the department is exploring the possibility that Downing and his accomplices may have been responsible for the theft of about $35,000 in tools from the contractors building the Columbia Falls skateboard park last year. 

Two other people, 34-year-old James Ekvall and 35-year-old Ashley Bruns have also been arrested in connection with the alleged burglary ring.  

“We want to assure the public that we take these crimes very seriously,” Heino said. “This was a coordinated and deliberate effort to protect our communities and hold those responsible accountable.” 

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to these burglaries is urged to contact the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office at 406-758-5610.