Helena Woman Convicted of Drug-Related Robbery

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Helena woman has been convicted of her role in the robbery of a couple who apparently made an out-of-state drug run but returned with less heroin than they were asked to buy.

Arielle Rose Cowser, 27, was convicted Thursday of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce and robbery affecting commerce, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Cowser faces up to 20 years in prison, but U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy allowed her to remain free pending her June 11 sentencing.

A co-defendant, Kielan Brett Franklin, provided the couple with money to travel to travel to Washington state to purchase an ounce of heroin, prosecutors said, but they returned with less than an ounce.

Cower, Franklin and two others robbed the couple in March 2019. Franklin and the two others have pleaded guilty to their roles in the armed robbery, which netted a small amount of heroin and the female victim’s wedding ring, cellphone and a purse.