Kyngsten Bargar, Fentanyl Trafficking, Montana 2022

BILLINGS, MONTANA – In a major blow to the city’s fentanyl crisis, a local man has been sentenced to eight years and one month in prison for his role in trafficking the deadly substance.

Kyngsten Bargar, 30, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case.

According to court documents, law enforcement learned in July 2021 that Bargar was distributing fentanyl pills in the Billings area. An investigation revealed that he traveled to Washington state to purchase the substance, and in February 2022, the Montana Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop east of Reed Point. During the search of the vehicle, officers found two firearms in a backpack and a safe containing 9,500 fentanyl pills, estimated to be worth a substantial amount.

The safe also held a large amount of U.S. currency bundled with rubber bands, with one bundle containing a paper copy of Bargar’s Montana driver’s license. Agents estimated the value of the seized currency to be substantial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Billings Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in local communities. The program brings together law enforcement and community organizations to create safer neighborhoods. As part of this effort, the government has launched a violent crime reduction strategy that focuses on fostering trust, supporting community-based organizations, and setting strategic enforcement priorities.

The sentence handed down to Bargar is a significant victory for the community, which has been grappling with the effects of fentanyl trafficking. As the city continues to grapple with the crisis, law enforcement and community leaders remain committed to addressing the issue head-on. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl trafficking and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

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