Billings Man Gets 15 Years for Interstate Meth Operation, Armed Drug Dealing

BILLINGS — A Billings man who traveled to Washington state to procure methamphetamine and carried a loaded firearm during drug deals was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, marking the latest in a series of armed drug trafficking cases prosecuted in the Billings area.

Jessie Craig Iverson, 37, received the sentence Thursday followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The case highlights the interstate nature of methamphetamine trafficking operations happening in Montana communities, with dealers routinely crossing state lines to obtain drugs before returning to distribute them locally while armed.

Cross-State Drug Pipeline

The investigation began in November 2023 when law enforcement received information that Iverson was distributing methamphetamine in Billings. Investigators learned he typically sold several ounces of methamphetamine at one time and carried a firearm during drug transactions for protection, according to court documents.

On December 7, 2023, agents learned Iverson was planning to drive to Washington to pick up methamphetamine. They placed a GPS tracker on his truck and observed the vehicle making stops in Thompson Falls, Montana and Spokane and Vancouver, Washington.

When Iverson returned to Montana on December 12, officers executed a traffic stop near Butte. Montana Highway Patrol searched Iverson and seized a loaded North American Arms .22 caliber revolver from his sweatshirt pocket, along with 91 grams of methamphetamine.

During a subsequent search of the truck, law enforcement discovered a bag of “M30” fentanyl pills concealed in a Hot Tamales container and various bags containing methamphetamine residue.

Pattern of Armed Trafficking

Iverson’s case represents part of a troubling pattern of armed drug dealing that federal prosecutors have targeted in recent months in the Billings area.

In August, Julia Arvizo was sentenced to 10 years for running a methamphetamine operation that distributed up to half a pound daily while trading drugs for firearms. Also in August, Raven Volkomener pleaded guilty to trafficking nearly 4 pounds of pure methamphetamine discovered during a traffic stop.

The cases illustrate how drug dealers commonly carry weapons during transactions, adding a violent crime component that federal authorities say contributes to community safety concerns.

“Investigators learned he typically sold several ounces of methamphetamine at one time and typically carried a firearm with him to drug sales for protection,” according to court documents.

Multi-Agency Investigation

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Eastern Montana HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), Montana Highway Patrol, and Billings Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case.

The coordinated effort demonstrates how federal, state, and local agencies work together to track interstate trafficking operations that often involve complex logistics and multiple jurisdictions.

The Eastern Montana HIDTA designation recognizes the region as a significant drug trafficking corridor, providing additional federal resources to combat the flow of narcotics through Montana communities.

Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative

Iverson’s case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun violence in communities.

The Department of Justice launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021 that strengthened the program based on core principles including fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

The initiative specifically targets cases where drug trafficking intersects with firearms possession, recognizing the elevated public safety risks when dealers carry weapons during narcotics transactions.