BILLINGS – Julia Renee Arvizo, a 47-year-old woman from Billings, faced the judge yesterday for her role in methamphetamine trafficking. The sentence? A decade behind bars followed by five years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Arvizo, who pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in January 2025, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The charges stem from an investigation that began in September 2023 when the DEA targeted meth dealers in Billings, identifying Arvizo as one of them.
The DEA’s confidential sources were able to purchase nearly a pound and a half of pure methamphetamine from Arvizo between September and October 2023. During this time, Arvizo reportedly expressed willingness to provide up to three pounds at once. The investigation also revealed that Arvizo traded meth for firearms, with an estimated daily distribution of between a quarter and a half a pound.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case, while the DEA conducted the investigation. This operation is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering community trust and supporting organizations that prevent violence. Launched in May 2021, PSN focuses on strategic enforcement and community engagement to make neighborhoods safer.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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