Christopher Lee Wylie, Meth & Firearms Trafficking, Belgrade MT, 2023

MISSOULA, MT – Christopher Lee Wylie, 40, of Belgrade, Montana, is headed to federal prison for five years after admitting to running a methamphetamine operation and stashing a small armory in his home. Wylie received the sentence Thursday from U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, followed by four years of supervised release. The bust, a joint effort by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), highlights the persistent flow of narcotics and illegal weaponry into Montana communities.

The case began unraveling in September 2021 when law enforcement stopped a vehicle returning to Montana from California. Wylie was a passenger, and a search revealed 5.24 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside. Wylie quickly confessed to making the trip to acquire the drugs for resale, admitting he was actively peddling meth from his Belgrade residence. He wasn’t just dealing dope, though; he was also illegally stockpiling firepower.

In February 2022, a search warrant executed at Wylie’s home uncovered a chilling cache: 16 firearms and a substantial amount of ammunition hidden in the crawl space. Alongside the weapons, investigators also found small amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. This wasn’t a collector; it was a drug dealer prepared to defend his operation – or escalate it. Wylie’s prior statements revealed a personal struggle with substance abuse, admitting to using methamphetamine and counterfeit oxycodone pills, commonly referred to as “blues” which are often laced with the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark successfully prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that painted a clear picture of Wylie’s criminal enterprise. The government argued, and Wylie ultimately pleaded guilty to, charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. The combination of drug trafficking and illegal gun ownership significantly increased the severity of his sentence.

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich framed the sentencing as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a program designed to unite law enforcement at all levels with local communities to combat violent crime and gun violence. The PSN strategy, relaunched in May 2021, focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing enforcement, and measuring results. But for the residents of Belgrade, the program feels like a belated response to a problem that’s been festering for years.

Wylie’s five-year sentence sends a message, but whether it’s enough to stem the tide of drugs and guns flooding Montana remains to be seen. The ATF’s Denver Field Division played a key role in the investigation, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to disrupting criminal networks that span state lines. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drug trafficking and the importance of relentless law enforcement efforts to keep communities safe – or at least, a little less grim.

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