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Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Decades in Prison
A Billings man, accused of trafficking fentanyl pills in the community and ramming an occupied U.S. Marshals Service vehicle during his arrest, admitted to charges today.
Luke Michael Dovel, 29, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and to assault on a federal officer.
The defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the assault charge.
The government alleged in court documents that in August and September of 2023, law enforcement learned that Dovel was selling large quantities of fentanyl and that there was a warrant for his arrest because he had absconded while on state probation.
On Sept. 18, 2023, multiple law enforcement agencies surveilled Dovel’s suspected location, and when Dovel arrived, law enforcement used their vehicles to block Dovel’s vehicle. Dovel then rammed the law enforcement vehicles several times, attempting to flee.
Dovel was instructed to exit his vehicle and did so without incident. In a search of Dovel, officers found him to be in possession of fentanyl pills, more than $8,000 in U.S. currency, a knife and metal knuckles.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided over the hearing. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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