A Livingston resident, Kyle Richard Lewellen, 43, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking operation. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Lewellen pleaded guilty in November 2023 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The case was overseen by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters.
According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Lewellen and others in March 2020 for distributing methamphetamine in Livingston and other areas of Montana. Investigators accessed phone data from Lewellen and his co-conspirators, uncovering text messages about trafficking activities and the use of Lewellen’s vehicle trunk lining as a hiding place for drugs during transport. In these communications, Lewellen discussed quickly selling any drugs provided to him and negotiated prices for upcoming shipments.
Further investigation included interviews with co-defendants. On September 20, 2022, one co-defendant told law enforcement that another individual used Lewellen’s car for drug distribution and that Lewellen wired money for ounces of methamphetamine. Another interview on November 15, 2022 revealed that a different co-defendant “rented” Lewellen’s car for drug runs approximately ten times, paying him an ounce of methamphetamine each time.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked alongside the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Park County Sheriff’s Office on the investigation.
“Kurt G. Alme said.”
