BILLINGS, MT – A flurry of federal court appearances this week in Billings, Montana, has exposed a network of alleged drug traffickers and firearms violations. Four individuals faced arraignments on charges ranging from fentanyl conspiracy to possession of weapons while engaged in drug crimes, according to court records. The cases, investigated by a coalition of federal and local agencies, paint a grim picture of the drug trade gripping the state.
Dashawn Kiree Bryant, 31, of Billings, appeared in court on December 21st, facing 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, Bryant could receive a mandatory minimum of five years, and up to 40 years, in prison, alongside a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. He was released pending further court proceedings. The investigation was a joint effort by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Billings Police Department and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
Also appearing on December 21st was Tirrell Lewis, 43, of Billings, accused of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The stakes are high for Lewis, who faces a potential sentence of five to 40 years and a $5 million fine for the drug offense, and a mandatory five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release for the firearms charge. Lewis was ordered detained pending further hearings. The ATF and Billings Police Department spearheaded the investigation.
On December 19th, David Antonio Rodas Jr., 38, of Billings, was arraigned on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. Rodas faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the drug charges, and a mandatory five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release if convicted of the firearms offenses. He was also detained. The investigation involved the ATF, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Montana Highway Patrol.
The same day saw Robert Stuart Quam, 42, of Belgrade, appear on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Quam is looking at a minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release for the drug crimes, plus a mandatory five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release for the firearms violation. He was also detained. The ATF, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Billings Police Department and Missouri River Drug Task Force collaborated on the investigation.
Finally, on December 18th, Shelby Jean Tripp, 33, of Livingston, was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. A conviction could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, led by Jesse Laslovich, reminds the public that these are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. These cases highlight the ongoing battle against the flow of illegal drugs and the associated violence in Montana, with law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to dismantle these criminal enterprises.
Related Federal Cases
- Sabrena Lynn Morgan, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, Missouri · Missouri
- Neal A. Norles, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, MO 2019 · California
- Meth Conspiracy Unfolds in Montana · Louisiana
- David Tapia-Padron, Drug & Press Import, Butte MT, 2023 · Missouri
- Erik Perlberg, Machine Gun Possession, Billings MT, 2023 · California
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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