A California woman has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Ashley Joceyln Cortez, 25, pleaded guilty in April 2025 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris handed down the sentence of 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
Prosecutors stated that between October 2023 and May 21, 2024, Cortez transported large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine onto the reservation. She made four trips beginning in November 2023 for a co-defendant. Cortez estimated she moved about 23 pounds of methamphetamine, 4,500 fentanyl pills, five ounces of fentanyl powder, and three ounces of cocaine during this period. She also said she transported $230,000 and witnessed her co-defendant distributing drugs from her residence in Box Elder.
On May 21, 2024, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at the co-defendant’s home in Box Elder. Officers found Cortez hiding in a bathroom with water running and discovered significant amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine in the bathtub. Authorities determined she was attempting to destroy evidence. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 64.5 grams of methamphetamine, about 98 grams of cocaine, roughly 64 fentanyl pills, $8,800 in cash, and a firearm.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office following an investigation involving multiple agencies: FBI; ATF; Tri-Agency Task Force; Montana Division of Criminal Investigation; Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services; and Hill County Sheriff’s Office.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative that brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration and strategic enforcement priorities. More information about PSN 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."
