An Idaho resident has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Flathead Indian Reservation, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Nicole Lynn Shain, 40, received a sentence of 132 months in prison and seven years of supervised release after pleading guilty in April 2025 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers were patrolling Pablo, Montana, on July 1, 2024, when they noticed a black SUV with Idaho plates parked near an area known for drug activity. Officers surveilled the vehicle but it left before they could investigate further.
Later that day, officers spotted the same SUV in Ronan, Montana. Nicole Shain was identified as the sole occupant. Investigators discovered she had a prior conviction for distributing dangerous drugs in Idaho. Officers observed Shain discarding tin foil with drug residue before stopping her vehicle.
A search warrant led investigators to recover 26.8 grams of methamphetamine, several grams of fentanyl powder, and over one thousand pills containing fentanyl from Shain’s vehicle—amounts that authorities noted were far greater than typical personal use quantities.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Flathead Tribal Police.
"
