Michael Shawn O’Neill, Fentanyl Trafficking, Montana 2023

A hard-hitting crime occurred in Great Falls, Montana, as Michael Shawn O’Neill, a 59-year-old man, admitted to distributing fentanyl and other drugs in the community while on state probation. This disturbing incident highlights the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in the area.

According to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, O’Neill pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. 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. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case, with sentencing set for April 10, 2025. O’Neill is currently detained pending further proceedings.

The investigation, conducted by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, Montana Probation and Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, revealed that O’Neill possessed thousands of fentanyl pills for redistribution, as well as four firearms, methamphetamine, and heroin on Sept. 4, 2023. Law enforcement found 6,500 fentanyl pills, meth, U.S. currency, four firearms, and 1,300 rounds of ammunition in his vehicle and additional fentanyl pills and U.S. currency in his residence.

During the investigation, O’Neill told law enforcement that he had driven to Spokane to obtain his supply of drugs and believed he was one step away from the Cartel through a third party. He also stated that he had spent $12,000 in Spokane on the drugs found in his backpack. This alarming display of disregard for the law and the safety of his community has severe consequences for O’Neill.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve. The PSN initiative fosters trust and legitimacy in communities, supports community-based organizations, sets focused enforcement priorities, and measures results. For more information about PSN, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

O’Neill’s actions have put him at risk of facing a substantial sentence, which will be determined by the court after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drug trafficking and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat this issue.

The mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, the $10 million fine, and the potential for at least five years of supervised release after serving their sentence serve as a warning to those who engage in such activities. The community can rest assured that law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to keep them safe from such threats.

Mandatory facts for this article include:

• Defendant/respondent name: Michael Shawn O’Neill
• Criminal charges: Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances
• City and state: Great Falls, Montana
• Exact date: September 4, 2023
• Sentence or outcome: Faces mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release
• Dollar amounts: $12,000 spent on drugs in Spokane

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