A Billings woman has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in the Billings area. Julia Renee Arvizo, 47, received a sentence of 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters.
Arvizo pleaded guilty in January 2025 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating several methamphetamine dealers in Billings starting in September 2023, identifying Arvizo as one of them. In September and October 2023, confidential sources working with the DEA purchased nearly a pound and a half of pure methamphetamine from Arvizo. By November 2023, she told a confidential source that providing three pounds of methamphetamine at once would not be an issue.
The investigation also revealed that Arvizo traded methamphetamine for firearms. A co-defendant estimated distributing between a quarter pound and half a pound of methamphetamine for Arvizo daily.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case, and the DEA led the investigation.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Department launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which focuses on building trust within communities, supporting prevention efforts through local organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and measuring outcomes. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
"This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN."
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