Billings Man Sentenced to Prison for Meth Distribution

BILLINGS—A Billings man who admitted possessing methamphetamine for distribution was sentenced to 48 months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Michael Alan McNulty, 55, pleaded guilty in October to possession with intent to distribute.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the sentencing. Judge Watters also ordered McNulty to forfeit $5,895.

Prosecutors said in court records that McNulty was arrested after law enforcement observed suspected drug sales occurring at several Billings residences.

Officers followed a truck registered to McNulty as it left one residence and went to another residence, where McNulty and a female driver left the truck, entered the residence and left about 15 minutes later.

The truck then went to another residence known to officers to be associated with illegal drug sales. McNulty entered that residence, left about five minutes later and got back into the truck, which drove away.

Officers stopped the truck after observing it make several traffic violations. McNulty consented to a search of the truck and officers found meth. McNulty also said he had a couple of ounces of meth on his person, which officers confirmed by searching him.

In addition, McNulty admitted he had sold a gram of meth at the previous residence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018.

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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