Related Federal Cases
- Lauren Jane Hoskins, Montana Prison Drug Smuggling, MT 2017 · Tennessee
- Loren Michelle Toelle, Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, ID 2017 · North Dakota
- Oscar Rene Marrot-Garcia, Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, CA 2024 · Iowa
- Joseph Allen Conner, Fentanyl Conspiracy, Montana 2024 · Montana
- Montravis Luke, Cocaine Conspiracy, Albany GA, 2014 · Alabama
Leota Beartusk-Martinez, Drug Conspiracy, Montana 2023
BILLINGS, MT – A wave of federal arraignments hit the District of Montana this week, exposing a network of alleged drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Among those appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judges were several individuals facing lengthy prison sentences if convicted, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Leota Lynn Beartusk-Martinez, 38, a transient, pleaded not guilty on July 27 to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Investigators allege she participated in a scheme to move illegal narcotics through the state. If convicted of the most serious crime, Beartusk-Martinez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. She remains detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation.
The cases don’t stop there. Derry Jerel Howard, 42, of Billings, also entered a not guilty plea on July 27, facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, *and* possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. This escalation to firearms brings a significantly harsher potential penalty. Howard is looking at a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release on the drug charges, *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. He too was ordered detained.
Shaynee Renee Gibbs, 45, of Billings, is facing similar charges – conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The inclusion of fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid, underscores the severity of the alleged operation. Gibbs faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release on the drug charge, and 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. She was also detained. Multiple agencies—the DEA, Billings Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, Laurel Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol—collaborated on the investigation.
Also arraigned on July 27 was Dawn Marie Guevara, aka Dawn Marie Owen, 42, of Billings, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. She faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release if convicted. She’s currently held in custody. The DEA conducted that investigation.
On July 25, Sean Wesley Colwell, 43, of Billings, appeared on charges of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. This case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service and Montana Probation, carries a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Colwell was also detained. These arraignments highlight the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and illegal firearms in Montana, with potentially devastating consequences for those involved. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
