A Great Falls man shot during a Billings home invasion earlier this year admitted federal drug and gun charges on Monday.

Christopher James Michelotti, 30, pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine for distribution and to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime during a hearing in Great Falls before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley said in court records that in the summer of 2013, Michelotti and his co-defendant, Dustin Steele, employed others to sell meth and that one man owed a $700 drug debt.

On Aug. 20, 2013, Michelotti and Steele picked up the man who owed the debt and another man who also was responsible for the debt and demanded money. One of the men eventually escaped, Betley said.

Michelotti and Steele changed vehicles because they were running from law enforcement and had hostages, she said.

Law enforcement ultimately arrested the pair and found about 20 grams of meth and a stolen and loaded .45 gauge pistol in their first vehicle, she said. A stash house used by Michelotti and searched later turned up another 6.7 grams of meth, she said.

Michelotti faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in prison on the meth charge and a mandatory consecutive seven years on the gun count.

Morris set sentencing for Nov. 11. He remains in custody.

Steele pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He is to be sentenced on Oct. 2.

Michelotti had been wanted by Yellowstone County officials when he was arrested in late may near Havre after a vehicle chase. Michelotti had been shot in the leg on May 11 in Billings by the occupant of a South Side resident after he and another suspect allegedly forced their way inside.

Michelotti was taken to a Billings hospital for treatment of his wound. Law enforcement began looking for Michelotti for days later after he was no longer at the hospital.

The Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office intends to prosecute Michelotti on aggravated burglary charges after the federal cases concludes.