‘Tony’ the Meth Supplier: Three Forks Man Gets 5+ Years After Multi-Dealer Investigation

THREE FORKS — A three-year investigation that began with dealers repeatedly mentioning a supplier named “Tony” led to the sentencing Tuesday of a 65-year-old Three Forks man to over five years in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution.

Anthony Robert Catalusci was sentenced in federal court in Missoula to 63 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine in Gallatin County. He pleaded guilty in March to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

The Missouri River Drug Task Force began investigating Catalusci in 2021, but the case gained momentum as multiple sources kept pointing investigators toward the same supplier.

“On April 6, 2021, a confidential informant bought 11 grams of methamphetamine for $500 from Catalusci,” according to prosecutors.

Three years later, the name “Tony” surfaced repeatedly in the investigation. In April 2024, an informant purchased methamphetamine from a co-conspirator on three separate occasions, with authorities later learning the drugs were supplied by “Tony.”

Task force investigators interviewed another source who said an Italian man named “Tony,” living in Clarkston, Montana, had asked him to travel to Las Vegas to pick up packages of methamphetamine.

Authorities also worked with a confidential informant to purchase drugs from a different dealer. During one transaction, a recording captured that dealer stating he obtained his drugs from “Tony.” The source later confirmed “Tony” was Anthony Catalusci.

The pieces came together in September 2024, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Catalusci’s residence and seized a small quantity of methamphetamine.

“During the search, Catalusci admitted he was distributing methamphetamine,” prosecutors said.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided over Tuesday’s sentencing.

The case represents part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program bringing together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of the program in May 2021, focusing on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities and measuring results.

The Missouri River Drug Task Force conducted the investigation, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced the sentencing Tuesday.