Billings, Montana – Oregon Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking
An Oregon man who trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Billings, Montana was sentenced to 82 months of imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
Derry Jerel Howard, 55, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances.
The government alleged in court documents that on January 11, 2023, law enforcement received information an individual was selling drugs in Billings. They located the individual in a vehicle in downtown Billings. They also saw a male, later identified as Howard, driving the vehicle. Law enforcement watched Howard commit several traffic violations and stopped the car. The vehicle slowly came to a stop and when Howard got out of the driver’s door a baggie with suspected meth was observed on the driver’s seat in plain view. Also in plain view in the rear seat was a container with suspected fentanyl pills. Howard was advised of his rights and denied knowing there were drugs in his vehicle. The other individual was advised of his rights and stated he and Howard were on their way to sell fentanyl pills and the drugs in the vehicle were Howard’s. The individual also told officers Howard had a large cache of drugs at his apartment.
After obtaining a search warrant for Howard’s apartment, officers recovered approximately 117 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 153 grams of fentanyl, and a significant quantity of US currency.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
Derry Jerel Howard, 55, was sentenced to 82 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. He pleaded guilty in July 2025.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in Montana. The Billings Police Department played a key role in the investigation, which resulted in the recovery of a significant quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Howard’s sentence is a result of his guilty plea to one count of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. He will serve 82 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Related Federal Cases
- Fernando Najera, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Idaho 2020 · Montana
- Alexander Christian Gruber, Methamphetamine Trafficking and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Idaho 2015 · Montana
- Juan Jose Romero, Meth Trafficking, Montana 2023 · Montana
- Robert Dean Spearson, Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute, Montana 2023 · Montana
- Elisha Gabrielle Ortiz, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Idaho 2025 · Montana
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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