Three Forks Meth Dealer Gets 5 Years

MISSOULA, MT – Anthony Robert Catalusci, 65, of Three Forks, Montana, is headed to federal prison after admitting to running a low-level methamphetamine distribution operation in Gallatin County. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced today that Catalusci received a 63-month sentence – five years and three months – followed by five years of supervised release.

The case, built by the Missouri River Drug Task Force (MRDTF), stretches back to 2021. Court documents reveal the investigation began tracking Catalusci as a potential source for meth circulating in the area. The first break came on April 6, 2021, when a confidential informant reportedly purchased 11 grams of methamphetamine from Catalusci for $500. The flow didn’t stop there.

Three years later, in April 2024, informants made three separate purchases of methamphetamine from a co-conspirator, with investigators later determining that “Tony” – Catalusci’s nickname – was the upstream supplier. A source came forward claiming Catalusci, described as an Italian man living in Clarkston, Montana, had tasked him with trips to Las Vegas to collect packages of methamphetamine. Another dealer, caught on recording during a transaction, reportedly admitted to sourcing his supply from “Tony,” further cementing Catalusci’s role.

The net tightened in September 2024 with a search of Catalusci’s residence. Investigators seized a small quantity of methamphetamine and, crucially, Catalusci confessed to distributing the drug. It wasn’t a sophisticated operation, but it was consistent. The evidence, though pieced together over years, proved enough for a guilty plea in March 2025.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy handed down the sentence. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office handled the case, with MRDTF leading the investigation. This isn’t just about one man and his drugs; it’s part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and making communities safer.

PSN focuses on building trust between law enforcement and residents, supporting local violence prevention programs, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and rigorously measuring results. Details on Project Safe Neighborhoods are available at Justice.gov/PSN. While Catalusci’s operation may have been small-scale, federal authorities are signaling a continued crackdown on drug distribution networks across Montana and beyond.