Robert Dean Spearson, Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute, Montana 2023

MISSOULA, MT – Robert Dean Spearson, 40, is headed to federal prison for 11 years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence, handed down Monday by U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, also includes five years of supervised release following his incarceration.

The bust went down November 21, 2021, when members of the Montana Violent Offenders Task Force moved to arrest Spearson in Missoula. According to court documents, Spearson bolted, leading officers on a brief chase before being apprehended in an apartment. The key piece of evidence? A black backpack Spearson had ditched during the escape.

Inside that backpack, investigators found approximately 77 grams of methamphetamine, neatly divided into individual baggies – clear evidence of trafficking, not personal use. A digital scale, a stash of empty plastic baggies used for repackaging, and a safe key were also recovered. Authorities also found $660 in cash, a laptop registered to Spearson, and an empty holster affixed to the outside of the bag. The scene painted a clear picture of a low-level dealer operating in the shadows.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark led the prosecution, presenting the evidence gathered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Missoula Police Department. The investigation, officials say, is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.

PSN, according to the DOJ, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention programs, and prioritizing strategic enforcement. But in Missoula, the result is a significant hit to the local meth supply and one less predator on the streets. Spearson’s 11-year sentence sends a message, however diluted by a broken system, that drug trafficking carries serious consequences.

While the feds tout the PSN program, the reality on the ground is that one arrest, one backpack, and one 40-year-old man represent a drop in the bucket. The demand for methamphetamine remains high, and the supply chain is relentless. Spearson will serve his time, but the network that supplied him will likely find someone else to fill the void. The cycle continues, and Grimy Times will be there to document it.

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