⏱ 2 min read
Ricky Crawford Birdinground, a 47-year-old Garryowen man, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for meth trafficking after a car crash on Highway 212 near Crow Agency, Montana, in a case that began when Birdinground crashed his vehicle into a guardrail and was found with 34 grams of meth. Birdinground pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The incident occurred when law enforcement responded to the crash and found Birdinground trying to climb out of the passenger side of the car, and after searching the vehicle, discovered the meth and a glass pipe in Birdinground’s pocket.
According to court documents, Birdinground admitted to using meth every day and had messages on his phone about purchasing and dealing meth. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) conducted the investigation, which led to the prosecution by the US Attorney’s Office. The case was presided over by U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer.
Birdinground’s sentence includes 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat meth trafficking in Montana and the cooperation between law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice.
The US Attorney’s Office and the BIA worked together to build a strong case against Birdinground, resulting in his guilty plea and sentencing. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers of meth trafficking and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: Montana
- Location: MT
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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