Denver Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison on Drug Distribution and Firearms Charges
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announced on November 12, 2026, that Bryan Hjelmstad, 32, of Denver, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the plea agreement, Hjelmstad was first encountered by police at a Westminster hotel after employees complained he was on drugs and running through the hotel. Police later found in his room more than 700 grams of cocaine, 300 grams of methamphetamine, 30 grams of fentanyl, 19 grams of heroin, 237 grams of Xanax, 20 grams of MDMA, 13 grams of ketamine, three loaded firearms, multiple boxes of ammunition and more than $10,000 in cash.
Six days later, police received a call from a Denver hotel after employees complained the defendant was running through the halls with a shopping bag full of what appeared to be a large amount of narcotics. Hjelmstad fled before police arrived, but they located the bag hidden under a vehicle in his direction of flight, containing 1.468 kilograms of methamphetamine. Police also found more than 40 grams of fentanyl pills, four additional firearms and several hundred dollars in cash in his room. Hjelmstad was arrested shortly after fleeing the second hotel.
U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly said Hjelmstad was essentially daring anyone to hold him accountable, and now they have. FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski said a convicted felon on parole was caught with illegal firearms and narcotics.
U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the sentencing, in case number 25-cr-129-DDD. The FBI Denver Field Office, the Westminster Police Department and the Denver Police Department handled the investigation. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于华盛顿特区的美国司法部大楼（联邦固定图库）。 / Photo: U.S. Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. (federal asset library).
