Leon Paul Kavis Jr., Meth Trafficking, Montana 2023

MISSOULA, Montana – A massive methamphetamine trafficking operation in the Flathead Valley has been dealt a serious blow with the sentencing of a Missoula man to 20 years in prison.

Leon Paul Kavis, Jr., 37, pleaded guilty on March 9 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the sentencing, which was a result of an investigation led by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crimes Task Force, the Missoula Police Department, and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

The government alleged in court documents that Kavis was identified as a source of methamphetamine in the Flathead Valley from November 2019 to November 2020. California authorities also identified Kavis as working with individuals to bring methamphetamine to Montana.

Eight informants reported receiving at least 34 pounds of methamphetamine from Kavis, while investigators recovered about five pounds of methamphetamine that were sent to Kavis’ shop in East Missoula. The government alleged that Kavis told informants that he was bringing in 30 pounds of methamphetamine per week, which is equivalent to about 108,720 doses.

Kavis was also ordered to forfeit $13,920, nine guns, ammunition, and magazines. He was detained pending the outcome of his sentencing.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses, and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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