Colorado Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Drug Trafficking After High-Speed Chase

BILLINGS, MT — A Colorado drug trafficker who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Billings was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced.

Moises Zamora, 40, of Greeley, Colorado, received 360 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after a federal jury found him guilty in October 2024 of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the sentencing.

The case stems from a November 11, 2022 incident that began when a Yellowstone County Sheriff’s deputy noticed Zamora’s suspicious behavior at a Billings convenience store. According to court documents, the deputy observed Zamora’s car parked away from the pumps and store entrances in an obscure manner.

“As the deputy drove toward the car, he saw the driver, later identified as Zamora, point toward his patrol vehicle and then slouch in the seat,” court documents state. When the deputy pulled behind the vehicle to investigate, Zamora reversed his car and drove away.

What followed was a nearly 10-minute high-speed pursuit reaching speeds of 80 mph. During the chase, Zamora drove recklessly and entered lanes of oncoming traffic before finally stopping at a dead end where he was arrested.

The deputy immediately observed two blue “M30” pills in the backseat, later confirmed to be fentanyl. A subsequent search warrant of Zamora’s vehicle revealed approximately six pounds of methamphetamine, two fentanyl pills, three cell phones, and drug paraphernalia.

According to prosecutors, six pounds of methamphetamine equals approximately 21,744 individual doses.

This marks Zamora’s second federal drug conviction in Montana. He previously received a 10-year sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in a separate case.

“Law enforcement determined Zamora had a warrant for his arrest and was booked into the Yellowstone County Detention Center,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case. The investigation involved the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and FBI.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program that brings together law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021 focusing on community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.