GREAT FALLS – A grim sentence for a California woman whose drug ring terrorized the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was handed down yesterday, with Ashley Joceyln Cortez, 25, facing 120 months behind bars followed by five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced the sentence.
Cortez pleaded guilty in April 2025 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the sentencing hearing.
The court records revealed a chilling operation that spanned from October 2023 until May 21, 2024. Cortez was accused of making four trips to the reservation with substantial loads of drugs. She estimated she transported 23 pounds of meth, 4,500 fentanyl pills, five ounces of fentanyl powder, and three ounces of cocaine. The value of the drugs transported was estimated at $230,000.
Law enforcement’s lucky break came on May 21, 2024, when they executed a search warrant at a residence in Box Elder. They found Cortez hiding in a bathroom with evidence destruction attempts. Seized were approximately 64.5 grams of meth, 98 grams of cocaine, 64 fentanyl pills, $8,800 in cash, and a firearm.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, which was an FBI and ATF operation led by the Tri-Agency Task Force, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, and Hill County Sheriff’s Office. The sentencing is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program dedicated to reducing violent crime and gun violence.
Project Safe Neighborhoods was launched on May 26, 2021, aiming to foster trust in communities and support organizations that prevent violence. More information can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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