Billings Drug Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years After Gunfight with Officers

BILLINGS — A Billings man who fired at law enforcement officers during a probation search was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug possession charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

Dustin James Massey, 40, was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty in April to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the sentencing.

The case began in September 2023 when agents with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation learned from a source that Massey was selling drugs in Billings and was known to have guns. Investigators discovered Massey was already on federal supervision due to a prior federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On Sept. 21, 2023, U.S. Probation officers and Montana DCI agents attempted to conduct a probation search at Massey’s residence. When officers knocked and announced their presence, Massey did not respond, prompting law enforcement to breach the door.

“In response, Massey shot at officers forcing them to return fire, eventually shooting Massey,” according to court documents. “Officers disarmed Massey and noted the firearm he had been using was a Sig Sauer with an extended magazine.”

The subsequent search of the residence yielded a substantial drug cache. Agents seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, more than 12,000 fentanyl pills, and 49.4 grams of cocaine.

Law enforcement also recovered three firearms: a Sig Sauer model P320 9×19 mm pistol, a Taurus model G3 9x19mm pistol, and a North American Arms model NAA-22LR .22 caliber revolver.

“A Billings man who possessed methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine was sentenced today to 240 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

This case is 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 violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021 that strengthened PSN based on core principles including fostering trust in communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.