MISSOULA – A Butte woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in a large meth and fentanyl trafficking ring.
Janet Dean White, 57, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in a jury trial in April. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the trial.
“White was among eight Montanans and Californians who were convicted in a conspiracy that brought at least 13 pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills to the Butte and Helena areas. We will not rest until every drug trafficker is brought to justice, and I’m confident those defendants will end up residing in the same place as White – federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
According to court documents, White and seven other co-defendants conspired to traffic meth and fentanyl from June 2022 until about January 2023 in Butte and Helena. The investigation revealed that White and her co-defendants were using a residence in Whitehall as a base for their operations.
The investigation, which included coordinated stops and raids of the Helena and Butte addresses, resulted in the seizure of approximately six pounds of meth, 208 grams of fentanyl, $15,000 cash and seven firearms in the Butte residence. In the Helena residence, law enforcement located approximately seven pounds of meth and 68 grams of fentanyl.
White was also found to be in possession of several cell phones, which contained messages indicative of her drug distribution activities. She was stopped by law enforcement on two separate occasions, once in October 2022 and again in November 2022, and found to be in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills.
In addition to White, several other co-defendants have been convicted and sentenced in connection with the conspiracy. Juan Felipe Vidrio Fuentes, of Anaheim, California, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while James Andrew Stringari, of Whitehall, is pending sentencing. The government has also filed guilty pleas from several other co-defendants, who are awaiting sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Laslovich praised the work of law enforcement in bringing the case to a successful conclusion. “This case highlights the significant impact that methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking has on our communities, and the commitment of our office to hold those responsible accountable,” he said.
Related Federal Cases
- Meth Trafficking Indictments, Montana 2024 · Washington
- Juan Ocegueda-Ruiz, Meth Trafficking, Montana 2024 · New Mexico
- Missoula Man Convicted of Armed Meth, Fentanyl Trafficking · Washington
- Salvador Vega Rendon Jr, Fentanyl Meth Trafficking, California 2020 · New Mexico
- Ocegueda-Ruiz, Meth Trafficking, Montana 2023 · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News