BILLINGS – In a shocking display of brazen criminal activity, a 28-year-old Butte man has been sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 5 years supervised release for his involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking ring. John William Wheeler, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm in October.
According to court documents, Wheeler and his associates were responsible for possessing and selling methamphetamine from approximately January 2016 until June 2016. During this time, Wheeler traded methamphetamine for stolen firearms, receiving 10 to 15 stolen long guns in exchange for an ounce of the highly addictive substance.
Wheeler’s illicit activities came to an end in June 2016, when a probation search of his residence uncovered a stash of methamphetamine, a handgun, ammunition, marijuana, and $1900 in cash. The discovery marked the culmination of a long and meticulous investigation led by the Missouri River Drug Task Force, Montana Probation and Parole, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Park County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Godfrey and Paulette Stewart, who worked tirelessly to bring Wheeler to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify those responsible for significant violent crime in Montana, and Wheeler’s sentencing is a testament to the success of this effort.
Project Safe Neighborhoods, a recently reinvigorated Department of Justice program, has proven to be a game-changer in reducing violent crime in Montana. By working together, law enforcement agencies can make a meaningful impact on the state’s crime rates and make communities safer for everyone.
Wheeler’s sentence serves as a warning to those involved in similar activities: the consequences of engaging in methamphetamine trafficking and firearm offenses are severe and can result in lengthy prison sentences. The people of Montana deserve a safe and just community, and it’s up to law enforcement to make that a reality.
In light of Wheeler’s sentencing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is urging anyone with information about methamphetamine trafficking or firearm offenses to come forward and report it to the authorities. Together, we can make a difference and keep our communities safe.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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