Belgrade Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking From Washington

MISSOULA — A Belgrade man who transported fentanyl across state lines for distribution was sentenced Tuesday to 72 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced.

Justin Olen Brown, 40, pleaded guilty in February to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen also ordered Brown to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

The case highlighted a cross-state drug trafficking operation, with Brown admitting he purchased fentanyl pills in Spokane, Washington, and planned to sell them in Montana.

“Brown admitted to buying the fentanyl pills in Spokane, Washington, and said he was planning to sell them pills in Montana,” according to court documents. “Brown also admitted he had taken similar trips to obtain fentanyl pills for sale in the past.”

Brown was arrested on Feb. 23, 2024, during a traffic stop near Ramsey, Montana. Law enforcement officers observed three lock boxes and multiple items of drug paraphernalia in his vehicle, prompting them to apply for a search warrant.

The subsequent search led to the seizure of 173 grams of fentanyl, a significant quantity that underscored the scope of Brown’s trafficking operation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program that brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and enhance neighborhood safety. The Department of Justice launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021, focusing on community trust, prevention programs, strategic enforcement and measurable results.

Brown’s sentencing reflects federal authorities’ continued efforts to combat interstate drug trafficking operations that bring dangerous substances like fentanyl into Montana communities.