MISSOULA – The grim specter of drug trafficking was etched into the annals of Montana law today as Justin Olen Brown, 40, from Belgrade, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison followed by a stern 3-year supervised release. This came after U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced that Brown had been handed down this sentence for his chilling intent to distribute fentanyl.
Brown entered a guilty plea earlier this year, on February 22, 2025, for the heinous charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The gravity of his crime was underscored when U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen sat in judgment over him.
The court’s narrative was darkened by allegations that on February 23, 2024, Brown was detained by law enforcement near Ramsey, Montana, where they discovered a trove of drug paraphernalia and three lock boxes. A subsequent search warrant application led to the seizure of a chilling 173 grams of fentanyl. The evidence against Brown was irrefutable.
Brown confessed to acquiring the deadly pills in Spokane, Washington, with the intention of selling them in Montana. His past activities were equally ominous, as he admitted to making similar trips for fentanyl sales. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney aggressively prosecuted the case that was investigated by the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.
This harrowing episode is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative efforts between law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strategic violent crime reduction strategy within PSN on May 26, 2021, emphasizing trust-building, community support, focused enforcement, and results measurement.
For those seeking more information about the vital work of Project Safe Neighborhoods, they are encouraged to visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Related Federal Cases
- Washington Drug Kingpin Sentenced to Four Years in Missoula Fentanyl Case · Washington
- Belgrade Drug Dealer Sentenced to 6 Years · Washington
- Sherlann Simon Pleads Guilty to Drug Money Laundering · Washington
- ‘Mama’ Toelle Gets 17 Years for Drug Empire · Washington
- Fentanyl Kingpin Conner Gets 5 Years for Poisoning Montana Streets · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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