BILLINGS, MT – A flurry of federal arraignments this week paints a grim picture of criminal activity sweeping across Montana, with cases ranging from drug trafficking to sexual abuse. The Grimy Times has been sifting through court documents to bring you the unvarnished truth behind these proceedings.
Jamesey Maria Jefferson, 32, of Busby, appeared in Billings on November 3rd, pleading not guilty to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. If convicted on the most serious charges, Jefferson faces a mandatory minimum of five to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, and at least four years of supervised release for the drug counts. Adding to that, a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Jefferson is currently detained pending further court action. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs led the investigation.
Also in Billings, Jordan Joseph Backer, 26, of Lame Deer, was arraigned on November 2nd, facing charges of aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. The potential penalty if convicted is a harrowing 30 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and at least five to life years of supervised release. Backer, too, remains detained. The FBI investigated this disturbing case.
Moving to Missoula, Chance Allen Chambers, 24, of Butte, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto on November 3rd, entering a not guilty plea to charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Chambers could face a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release if convicted. Unlike the others, Chambers was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Butte Police Department, and Montana Probation and Parole jointly investigated.
The Missoula court also saw James Allyn Batterton, 24, of Missoula, arraigned on November 3rd. Batterton is accused of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The potential consequences are severe: a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release on the conspiracy charge, plus a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Batterton was released pending further proceedings. The Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force handled the investigation.
These cases, tracked under PACER case references 22-89, 22-115, 22-33, and 22-51, underscore the ongoing battle against crime in Montana. Citizens can monitor the progress of these and other federal cases through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system (http://www.pacer.gov/register.html), or by visiting the District Court’s calendar at https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl. The Grimy Times will continue to provide updates as these cases unfold.
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Buchholz, Meth Conspiracy, WY 2023 · New York
- Montravis Luke, Cocaine Conspiracy, Albany GA, 2014 · Alabama
- William Maurice Smith, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Bi… · Montana
- Alan Daniel Wilson Sentenced to 16 Years for Meth Trafficking, CA, … · California
- Salathiel D. Harrison, Mail Theft Conspiracy, Anderson SC, 2023 · Alabama
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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