Tyler James Fleming, Meth Trafficking, Montana 2023

BILLINGS – In a devastating blow to the methamphetamine trade, a Billings man has admitted to methamphetamine trafficking crimes after law enforcement officers seized a staggering eight pounds of the drug and three handguns from his vehicle.

Tyler James Fleming, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to possession with intent to distribute meth. Fleming faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release.

Fleming has pleaded not guilty to a count charging him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and that charge is pending.

A court document filed by the prosecution revealed that in 2019, drug task force officers received information from sources that Fleming was trafficking drugs in the Billings area. In December 2019, investigators learned Fleming had traveled to Arizona and returned two days later. Officers conducted a traffic stop of Fleming's vehicle outside of Miles City and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. Officers found approximately 3,700 grams of meth, which is 8.15 pounds and the equivalent of approximately 29,600 doses, drug paraphernalia, and three handguns.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten is prosecuting 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. 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.

Fleming has been detained, and a sentencing date has not yet been set.

Tyler James Fleming, 38, is the defendant in this case. He faces the following charges: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and to possession with intent to distribute meth. The city and state involved are Billings, Montana. The exact date of the crime is December 2019. Fleming faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/billings-man-admits-meth-trafficking-crimes-0