California Man Gets 15 Years for Mailing Fentanyl, Meth to Bozeman in Sophisticated Operation

MISSOULA — A California man who ran a sophisticated drug distribution operation by mailing methamphetamine and fentanyl to himself in Bozeman was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced.

Shante Maurice Anthony, 47, pleaded guilty in March to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen also ordered Anthony to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.

The case represents the latest in a series of major fentanyl prosecutions in Montana this week. On Tuesday, a Belgrade man was sentenced to six years for transporting fentanyl from Washington state for distribution in Montana.

Anthony’s operation involved repeatedly mailing drug packages from California to Bozeman, then flying to Montana to retrieve and distribute the substances, according to court documents. The Drug Enforcement Administration received information in 2024 that Anthony had been selling drugs in the Bozeman area since 2022.

“Agents learned Anthony lived in California and would repeatedly travel to the Bozeman area to distribute meth and fentanyl,” prosecutors stated in court filings. “Informants told the agents Anthony would mail drugs to Bozeman and then fly to Montana, pick up the drugs, and distribute them.”

DEA flight records confirmed Anthony was traveling to Bozeman an average of twice per month over a five- to six-month period, according to court documents.

The investigation culminated on November 22, 2024, when postal inspectors intercepted a package Anthony had mailed to Bozeman. The search revealed 1,000 fentanyl pills and a quarter-pound of methamphetamine — quantities that represent potentially hundreds of lethal doses.

According to the DEA, as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, making the seized pills a significant threat to public safety. Text messages and phone conversations between Anthony and others confirmed his role in distributing the drugs.

The investigation demonstrated the sophisticated nature of interstate drug trafficking operations targeting Montana communities.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with the investigation conducted by the DEA and the Missouri River Drug Task Force.

Anthony’s sentencing reflects federal authorities’ ongoing efforts to combat interstate drug trafficking operations bringing fentanyl into Montana. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program that brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and enhance neighborhood safety.