A man from Helena has admitted to charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. Charles Clifford Hamlin, aged 61, pleaded guilty to conspiracy for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances. He is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment, along with a potential $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris is overseeing the case, with sentencing scheduled for June 5. Until then, Hamlin remains in custody. The plea agreement suggests a prison term between 15 and 20 years.
The investigation into Hamlin began when the Missouri River Drug Task Force and United States Postal Service intercepted a package addressed to him in August 2021 containing about three pounds of methamphetamine. Over subsequent years, multiple sources identified Hamlin as a major narcotics distributor involved in bringing meth from California and Oregon into Montana.
One source described regular deliveries from Oregon every two-and-a-half weeks, each consisting of approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine, thousands of fentanyl pills, cocaine, and heroin. In December 2023, law enforcement found around 18 grams of meth in Hamlin's vehicle during a search prompted by a suspected probation violation.
Further evidence was gathered through controlled purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills from Hamlin. In February 2024, authorities intercepted an individual carrying nine pounds of methamphetamine and over six thousand fentanyl pills intended for Hamlin.
The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigations conducted by various agencies including the Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives among others.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program emphasizes trust-building within communities and strategic enforcement priorities.
