Timothy J. Racicot Acting United States Attorney for the District of Montana | Wikipedia
A Billings man has admitted to charges of possessing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. Dustin James Massey, 40, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Massey is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters will determine Massey's sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for August 1, 2025. Massey remains detained pending further proceedings.
Court documents disclosed that on September 20, 2023, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation agents received information from a source that Massey was involved in selling drugs and was in possession of firearms in Billings. He was on federal supervision following a previous conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On September 21, 2023, probation officers, with assistance from Montana DCI agents, attempted a probation search at Massey's residence. Law enforcement breached the door after receiving no response and were met with gunfire from Massey. Officers returned fire, injuring Massey before disarming him. A Sig Sauer with an extended magazine was found in Massey's possession.
Following the incident, agents conducted a search of Massey's residence under a warrant. They seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, over 12,000 fentanyl pills, and 49.4 grams of cocaine. Also found were three firearms: a Sig Sauer P320 pistol, a Taurus G3 pistol, and a North American Arms NAA-22LR revolver.
The U.S. Attorney's Office handled the prosecution of the case, with the investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Montana DCI.
The case is linked to the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strategy to enhance this program in 2021, emphasizing community trust, strategic enforcement, and support for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
More details about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
