U.S. Attorney Jesse A. Laslovich | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal judge has sentenced an Oregon resident to seven years and four months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking methamphetamine in the Helena area. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich confirmed the sentencing.
The defendant, Olin Carl Herendeen, 48, from Salem, Oregon, admitted guilt in August 2024 to charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case.
According to court documents presented by the government, the Missouri River Drug Task Force initiated an investigation in June 2022 into a woman suspected of leading a large-scale drug trafficking operation. This ring was reportedly transporting significant quantities of meth and fentanyl from Washington to Helena. Herendeen was implicated as a member of this group and played a role in moving drugs between Washington and Montana.
In February 2023, while on state probation, Herendeen visited his probation officer at the state probation and parole office in Helena. During a search, authorities discovered live ammunition on him. He confessed to having multiple firearms in his vehicle. A subsequent search revealed three firearms, AR-15 parts, and about one ounce of methamphetamine.
Herendeen admitted during an interview with law enforcement that he had trafficked between 50 and 70 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 40,000 pills with the leader of the ring during the year prior to his arrest. Seventy pounds of meth is roughly equivalent to 253,680 doses. He also acknowledged carrying a firearm for protection on some trips back to Washington for resupply.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office handled prosecution duties for this case while investigations were carried out by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department's strategy launched on May 26, 2021 focuses on building community trust and legitimacy while supporting organizations that prevent violence proactively.