Christopher Heilman, 40, Brandon Heilman, 38, both of Balta, and Mark Bercier, 29, Rugby, were arrested in connection to the raid. The raid arose from a narcotics investigation involving the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Rugby Police Department, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Bureau of Indian Affairs Drug Enforcement Division.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Bercier made a number of reports in 2023 and early 2024 that Christopher Heilman had shot at him with a rifle or threatened to kill him during multiple drug-fueled altercations.

When reporting an incident on May 28 to Pierce County Sheriff’s officers, Bercer accused Brandon Heilman of manufacturing dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and distributing narcotics. Bercier said he received xanax and methamphetamine from Brandon Heilman multiple times at Christopher’s farm. Bercier also related multiple threatening statements Christopher Heilman made toward other individuals.

Bercier was later arrested in Bismarck after a residential fire was reported on July 31 in a garage where he was squatting in a pickup. Bercier told BCI investigators he got high on methamphetamine he stole from Christopher Heilman’s residence.

Brandon Heilman

The raid on Christopher Heilman’s residence was executed Aug. 2, resulting in his arrest and the seizure of a variety of drug-related items, including a clandestine laboratory. Investigators also seized multiple firearms and ammunition.

Christopher Heilman was charged with two counts of terrorizing, a count of reckless endangerment and prohibited acts-maintaining a narcotics dwelling, all Class C felonies; criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, a Class B felony; stalking and possession of drug paraphernalia, both Class A misdemeanors; and ingestion of a controlled substance, a Class B misdemeanor.

Brandon Heilman has been charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, both Class B felonies; two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, one a Class B felony and the other a Class C felony; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C felony; and ingestion of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor.

Bercier has been charged with criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, a Class B misdemeanor; aggravated assault and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, all Class C felonies; and disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor.

The Heilmans and Bercier made their initial appearances in Northeast Central District Court on Tuesday and are being held in custody at the Heart of America Correctional and Treatment Center. Judge Michael Hurly set bond for the Heilmans at $80,000 each and $50,000 for Bercier. Their next court dates have not been set.

Mark Bercier

While in custody for the Pierce County charges, Heilman was out on bond for a case in Ward County on charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and a schedule II stimulant, both Class B felonies; possession with intent to deliver Schedule I depressant-second offense and two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, all Class C felonies; and possession of a schedule IV depressant, a Class A misdemeanor. Two counts of possession with intent to deliver-schedule IV depressant and possession of marijuana-at least half an ounce were dismissed.

The Ward County charges against Brandon Heilman stemmed from a report on June 30 to Minot Central Dispatch regarding a driver of a vehicle who appeared to stumble exited the vehicle in a Minot grocery store parking lot. According to court documents, responding officers observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and detained Heilman before searching the vehicle.

The search discovered large amounts of drug-related items.

Heilman appeared for a preliminary hearing over ITV on Thursday in North Central District Court before Judge Richard Hagar. He is scheduled to appear at a pretrial conference on Wednesday, Oct. 16.