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Former Montana Republican House Majority Leader Michael David Lange, of Billings, has pleaded not guilty to charges he possessed and distributed meth.

On Tuesday, Lange denied the drug charges in U.S. District Court.

Lange, 56, pleaded not guilty to one charge of meth distribution and a charge of meth possession. Montana U.S. attorneys charged him with distributing over 500 grams of meth between April and October 2016.

Each count carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years.

Lange has retained Billings attorney Ashley Harada.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan ordered Lange to remain in jail. The case will be heard by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters.

While serving in the state Legislature in 2007, Lange was captured on video swearing at then-Gov. Brian Schweitzer. Lange called the Democratic governor a dictator and said he could "go straight to hell," among other things.