A Billings man, Stetson Claude Nash McBride, 30, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. The sentence also includes five years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
McBride pleaded guilty in May 2025 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters.
Court documents state that law enforcement learned from a confidential informant that McBride was attempting to purchase methamphetamine on the Dark Web. On February 21, 2024, the informant offered to provide McBride $500 to acquire methamphetamine and was equipped with buy money and a body wire before visiting McBride’s residence. During the meeting, McBride told the informant he would provide a tracking number once available.
On March 11, 2024, the informant notified law enforcement that a package should arrive that day. Multiple packages addressed to McBride were found by authorities, who then obtained a search warrant for one of them. On March 13, 2024, law enforcement opened the package and found about 142 grams of a clear substance inside a sealed bag.
As part of the investigation, police seized and searched McBride’s phone under warrant. They discovered numerous messages related to drug dealing between January and March 2024. Testing revealed that approximately 98 grams of actual methamphetamine were present in the seized drugs. Additionally, images of child sex abuse material were found on McBride’s phone.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The investigation involved the Billings Police Department, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and United States Postal Inspection Service.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and communities. In May 2021, the Department of Justice introduced an updated violent crime reduction strategy focused on building trust in communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
"Kurt Alme said."
"U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided."
