Billings Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Meth and Fentanyl Distribution

BILLINGS, MT — Shannon Ray Emeline, 45, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Billings area, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced Friday.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters handed down the sentence after Emeline pleaded guilty in January to one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Investigation Details

The case began in February 2024 when Drug Enforcement Administration agents arranged for a confidential source to purchase methamphetamine from Emeline. Court documents show the transaction took place in Emeline’s vehicle, with the source paying $2,000 for a quantity of meth.

In April 2024, agents with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation searched a Billings residence and located a significant quantity of methamphetamine. Investigators subsequently learned that Emeline had purchased the drugs and was actively distributing them in Billings.

Hotel Room Bust

On May 1, another confidential source informed investigators that Emeline was staying at a Billings hotel to meet with a drug supplier. Agents surveilled the hotel and located Emeline’s vehicle in the parking lot.

During a traffic stop, agents searched the vehicle and seized plastic bags containing both methamphetamine and fentanyl.

When interviewed by investigators, Emeline admitted to renting the hotel room to facilitate the purchase of two pounds of methamphetamine. A subsequent search of the room yielded additional evidence: a bag of meth, a bag of fentanyl, and $6,855 in cash.

Multi-Agency Effort

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Montana Highway Patrol.

The case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021 focusing on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.