Timothy J. Racicot Acting United States Attorney for the District of Montana | Wikipedia
A woman from Box Elder has been sentenced in Great Falls for trafficking fentanyl in northern Montana and on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced that Dai Shawn Whitford, age 33, will serve time already spent in custody and will undergo 3 years of supervised release.
Whitford admitted guilt in December 2024 to charges that included possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of the drug. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris was the presiding judge over the proceedings.
According to court documents, authorities learned that Whitford and her co-defendants were involved in transporting drugs from Washington to the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and surrounding areas. Whitford was reportedly involved in the distribution for her co-defendants, including an incident in May 2023 where a confidential informant was instructed to purchase fentanyl pills at a location on the reservation. Whitford provided the informant with approximately 30 pills in exchange for $800.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office managed the prosecution, while the FBI and the Tri-Agency Task Force conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that collaborates with law enforcement and community organizations to decrease violent crime and gun violence. Launched on May 26, 2021, the Department's crime reduction strategy aims to enhance trust and effectiveness through community engagement, supporting preventive measures, strategic enforcement actions, and evaluation of outcomes. Additional details about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
