Clayton James Edwards, Conspiracy, Montana 2023

BILLINGS—A Billings man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a heroin and methamphetamine conspiracy, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.

Clayton James Edwards, 35, pleaded guilty on October 9 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

According to the prosecution, during a six-month period from January to June 2017, Edwards and another person made trips to Salt Lake City about every five days to obtain heroin and methamphetamine from multiple suppliers.

Edwards told investigators that he would use and sell the heroin.

The prosecution said Edwards was held accountable for a conservative estimate of 24 ounces of heroin, which is equivalent to about 6,800 doses, and eight pounds of meth, which is equivalent to about 28,992 doses.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is the centerpiece of the U.S. government's violent crime reduction efforts.

Edwards was sentenced on March 21 to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/billings-man-sentenced-eight-years-prison-heroin-conspiracy