Billings has been hit with another heavy blow in the fight against crime as Tirrell Lewis, a 45-year-old local, was sentenced to 168 months behind bars for drug distribution and illegal firearm possession. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced today that Lewis will spend the next 14 years of his life in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release.
Lewis’s guilty plea in February 2025 marked a significant victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Billings. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The case took an interesting turn when a report of gunshots led law enforcement officers to Lewis’s girlfriend’s residence. Despite initial claims of fireworks by the girlfriend, officers discovered two spent rifle casings in her backyard. They then tracked down the gray Mustang that fled the scene, only to have Lewis try and flee on foot, only to be apprehended by an officer.
Upon his arrest, Lewis was found with $6,216.18 cash. A subsequent search warrant on his vehicle uncovered a cache of firearms, ammunition, and drugs, including 7 ounces of fentanyl and 9 ounces of methamphetamine, which were hidden in plain sight within the car’s trunk.
Lewis is already prohibited from owning firearms due to a prior federal conviction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Godfrey prosecuted the case, with the investigation conducted by the Billings Police Department, ATF, and DEA. This sentencing underscores the commitment of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) to reduce violent crime and gun violence in the region.
Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement with community support, was launched on May 26, 2021, with a focus on fostering trust, supporting preventive organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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