27 Convicted of Drug Crimes in Montana Get 165 Years in Prison

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana’s U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich and his staff announced on Thursday major drug convictions in Billings Federal Court that included 27 persons convicted, with prison terms totaling over 165 years from what was termed the ‘Spear Siding’ investigation.

I spoke to Laslovich from his office in Billings on Thursday.

27 Persons Received Prison Sentences Totaling More Than 165 Years

“We were pleased to announce this morning, 27 convictions of drug traffickers federal felonies,” began Laslovich. “We have two fugitives (still at large) who I'm confident we’ll be able to track down and bring to justice. These were folks who were on the Northern Cheyenne and Crow reservations and in Billings, who were dealing in pounds and pounds and pounds of meth, along with thousands and thousands of fentanyl pills.”

Laslovich described the drug operation.

“We have the two fugitives who have direct links to the Jalisco Cartel, which is one of the two cartels in Mexico, the other being Sinaloa, bringing up the meth and fentanyl through the southern border all the way into Washington state, and then getting that into Montana,” he said. “In fact, the main drug trafficker, who was known as Carlos, he lived in Spear Siding on the Crow Reservation, and business was booming; poisoning not just the city of Billings, the county of Yellowstone and of course, the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations, but many communities throughout Montana.”

Two Mexican Cartel Members are Still at Large

Laslovich provided some examples of the prison sentences handed down on Thursday in Billings.

“Over 165 years in prison, collectively,” he said. “Just some of our upper, or top tier folks received 288 months in federal prison, 300 months in federal prison, and 240 months in federal prison. We'll have another one who's coming, who will also be in that range. It's a long time (in prison), and deservedly so.”

Laslovich said residents in the area were concerned that law enforcement had been ignoring the massive drug activity, but he said the investigation had to be thorough and complete to ensure convictions.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Report

Laslovich Praised His Team for the Successful Prosecutions

“They (the people) get frustrated because they know the (drug) activity is taking place and that we don't care,” he said. “I've said to them, don't make that assumption, one, that we don't care, or two, that we're not aware of the activity. We've got to work the cases, and we'll do this the right way to make sure most important, these people are held accountable, and in this instance, we were 27 for 27; a perfect average in holding some dangerous people accountable and getting them off the streets.”

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’ office, “The Spear Siding investigation culminated in April 2023 when the DEA, FBI, BIA, with assistance from local law enforcement, arrested numerous individuals at Spear Siding in a coordinated takedown.”

Laslovich again emphasized the fact the there is no parole in the federal prison system.