BILLINGS, MT – A wave of federal arraignments hit the District of Montana this week, exposing a network of alleged criminal activity ranging from drug trafficking to sex crimes and illegal firearms possession. Grimy Times has been tracking the cases as they unfold, revealing a dark underbelly beneath the Big Sky Country’s facade.
Leading the charge is Brandi Marie Hiatt, 43, of Billings, who pleaded not guilty on January 27th to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted on the most serious charge, Hiatt faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a staggering $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release. She was released pending further court proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) spearheaded the investigation.
The ATF was busy as well. Tyler Ryan Stonebraker, 27, of Billings, appeared in court January 26th, accused of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition. Stonebraker now faces up to 15 years behind bars, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release if found guilty. He remains detained. Authorities say the case was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. Another firearms case involved Glen Fredrick Reitler, Jr., 42, of Billings, who also appeared on January 26th, facing charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Reitler also faces a maximum sentence of 15 years, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release, and is currently detained.
The court also saw disturbing charges of sexual abuse. Loy Matthew Bryant, 51, of Lame Deer, was arraigned on January 26th, facing accusations of sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact of a minor. A conviction on the most serious charge could lead to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory minimum five years to life of supervised release. Bryant is being held without bail. The FBI led the investigation. On January 24th, Jaide Nicole Alexander, 28, of Billings, was arraigned on a trifecta of charges: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Alexander’s potential sentence is severe: a minimum of 10 years to life on the drug charges, plus another mandatory minimum of five years to life on the firearms charge, alongside hefty fines and supervised release. She, too, is being detained.
Further muddying the waters, Brandi Alexandria Davitt, 33, a transient, faced similar drug charges on January 24th – conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances – carrying the same potential sentence as Hiatt and Alexander: 10 years to life, $10 million in fines, and five years of supervised release. Davitt is also detained. On January 23rd, Joshua Leon Hiestand, 41, a transient, appeared in court on charges of stalking and harassing telephone calls. A conviction could bring up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
These arraignments, while merely accusations at this stage, paint a grim picture of criminal activity in Montana. The cases are proceeding through the federal court system, and Grimy Times will continue to provide updates as they develop. PACER case references are available for those seeking further details: 23-02, 23-11, 22-145, 23-10, 23-20, 22-130. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Loren Michelle Toelle, Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, ID 2017 · North Dakota
- Oscar Rene Marrot-Garcia, Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, CA 2024 · Iowa
- Montravis Luke, Cocaine Conspiracy, Albany GA, 2014 · Alabama
- William Maurice Smith, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Bi… · Montana
- Salathiel D. Harrison, Mail Theft Conspiracy, Anderson SC, 2023 · Alabama
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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