Hardin Man Gets Seven Years for Billings Meth Deal

BILLINGS, MT – A Hardin man is headed to federal prison after admitting to peddling methamphetamine in a deal orchestrated near the Billings Public Library. Charles Anthony Sloan, 32, was sentenced today to seven years behind bars and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced. The sentence comes after Sloan pleaded guilty in April to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

The operation unfolded on May 10, 2019, when a confidential source tipped off a drug task force officer that Sloan was looking to move an ounce of meth for $800. An undercover sting was set up, culminating in a transaction on North 29th Street, a stone’s throw from the Billings Public Library. Sloan willingly entered a vehicle occupied by the undercover agent and the source, immediately initiating a call to secure the drugs. He upped the price to $900, and his supplier delivered.

According to court records, Sloan pocketed a portion of the methamphetamine for himself before completing the $800 sale to the undercover agent. He even offered a “finder’s fee” – a small amount of the drug – to the confidential source for setting up the deal. The hustle wasn’t subtle, but it was enough to land him in federal court. A subsequent analysis by the Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed the haul totaled 25.5 grams of pure methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters handed down the sentence, signaling a firm stance against drug trafficking in the state. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla Painter successfully prosecuted the case, with the investigation spearheaded by the DEA. The feds weren’t messing around – this wasn’t some small-time street corner deal. This was a calculated attempt to profit from a highly addictive and destructive substance.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at curbing violent crime. Montana has seen a troubling spike in violent crime in recent years – a 36% increase between 2013 and 2018, according to FBI Uniform Crime Reports. PSN focuses specifically on crimes fueled by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbery, firearms offenses, and violent offenders with outstanding warrants. Sloan’s sentence sends a clear message: peddling poison in Big Sky Country carries significant consequences.

The DEA continues to investigate methamphetamine distribution networks throughout Montana. Anyone with information regarding drug trafficking is urged to contact their local DEA office or submit a tip online. This isn’t just about locking up dealers; it’s about dismantling the entire operation and protecting Montana communities from the scourge of methamphetamine addiction.