Michael Anthony Ervin, Hydrocodone Distribution, Montana 2013

Convicted Trafficker Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

A 48-year-old Billings man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to distributing hydrocodone. Michael Anthony Ervin was sentenced in a federal court session in Helena on September 10, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tactical Diversion Squad, which includes the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the Billings Police Department. The squad purchased prescription pills from Ervin in Roundup and Billings from December 28, 2011, to February 3, 2012.

Specifically, the agent purchased 60 hydrocodone 5mg pills on December 28, 2011, in Roundup, from Ervin. The agent also purchased 20 hydrocodone 5mg pills and 12 morphine 30mg pills on January 18, 2012, in Billings, from Ervin, and 100 hydrocodone 5mg pills on February 3, 2012, in Billings, from Ervin.

A chemist from the DEA laboratory in San Francisco verified the presence of controlled substances – hydrocodone and morphine – in the pills purchased from Ervin.

As a result of his guilty plea, Ervin was sentenced to 148 months in prison, a $100 special assessment, and 3 years of supervised release.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the ‘truth in sentencing’ guidelines mandate that Ervin will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Ervin does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for ‘good behavior.’ However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

Ervin’s case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat prescription pill trafficking in Montana. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to work with local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the distribution of controlled substances.

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