Two Billings Methamphetamine Traffickers Sentenced to 12 and 10 Years in Prison
BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana announced on November 10, 2026, that two Billings men who trafficked methamphetamine in the city have been sentenced to federal prison: Aaron Wade Montoya, 61, received 12 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, and Rafael Gonzales Montanez, 61, received 10 years followed by five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Scott Twito announced the sentences, and U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.
Both men pleaded guilty in June 2026. Montoya admitted possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Montanez admitted possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The government alleged in court documents that the two dealt methamphetamine at various bars and casinos around Billings.
The case began in August 2024, when an agent with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation received a tip that Montanez was selling methamphetamine in Billings and was often at a local casino. An undercover agent was put in touch with Montanez, who offered to sell him an ounce of methamphetamine; over the next month the agent bought increasing amounts. After a buy in September 2024, officers followed Montanez to a trailer at the Cherry Creek mobile home park in Billings Heights and learned it belonged to Montoya, who was on probation from an earlier drug conviction.
In November 2024, Montoya tested positive for methamphetamine at a probation-mandated urine test, and officers obtained a warrant to search his home, finding a bag of bulk methamphetamine, three firearms, ammunition and cash. After his arrest, Montoya admitted dealing methamphetamine and said he had obtained two of his firearms in a drug trade.
After Montoya's arrest, Montanez reached out to the undercover agent saying he wanted to introduce a new supplier, explaining that his old one, Montoya, had been arrested. ATF agents arrested Montanez on May 29, 2025, and he admitted he had sold methamphetamine supplied by Montoya. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the ATF.
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国司法部罗伯特·肯尼迪大楼。APK 摄，CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。
