Idaho Woman Gets 11 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl on Flathead Reservation

MISSOULA — An Idaho woman was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Flathead Indian Reservation, marking another significant drug prosecution targeting the tribal community.

Nicole Lynn Shain, 40, received a 132-month prison sentence followed by seven years of supervised release Tuesday in Missoula Federal District Court. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided over the sentencing.

Shain pleaded guilty in April to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl after law enforcement discovered her with 26.8 grams of methamphetamine, several grams of fentanyl powder and 1,092 fentanyl pills.

“These quantities of drugs significantly exceeded a user amount,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Cross-Border Investigation

The case began July 1, 2024, when officers patrolling Pablo observed Shain’s black SUV with Idaho plates parked near an area “frequented by persons actively addicted to controlled substances.”

Investigators initially spotted the vehicle but lost sight of it before relocating it hours later in Ronan. After learning Shain had previous drug distribution convictions in Idaho, officers conducted surveillance and observed her disposing of tin foil with drug residue.

Officers obtained a search warrant for Shain’s vehicle, where they discovered the large cache of drugs intended for distribution on the reservation.

Pattern of Trafficking

The sentencing represents the latest in a series of federal prosecutions targeting drug trafficking on the Flathead Reservation. In May, two Pablo residents each received 10-year sentences for trafficking similar quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Unlike the earlier case involving tribal community members, Shain’s prosecution highlights how out-of-state traffickers target reservation communities for drug distribution.

Multi-Agency Response

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Flathead Tribal Police.

The collaborative investigation demonstrates ongoing federal and tribal law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking in Indian Country, where jurisdictional complexities often require coordinated multi-agency approaches.

The prosecution occurred under the federal Major Crimes Act, which gives federal courts jurisdiction over serious felonies committed on Indian reservations.