Big Sky Times

A former resident of Beaverhead County, Owen David James, has been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison. He was convicted of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl across southwest Montana, an operation uncovered by Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) agents, according to Attorney General Austin Knudsen.

In November 2024, James admitted to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. His arrest by agents from the DCI-led Southwest Montana Drug Task Force (SWMDTF) in September 2023 followed the discovery of his activities, which included transporting drugs from Washington state to Butte. The agents found him in possession of roughly 800 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills, and a stolen handgun.

Attorney General Knudsen stated, “Thanks to the work of law enforcement and anti-drug task forces across the state there are a lot fewer dangerous drugs on the streets of Montana and drug traffickers are being held accountable. Last week, I reported that fentanyl seizures and overdose deaths were down in 2024, but seizures of most other dangerous drugs increased. We cannot and will not let up in the fight against fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs. At the Montana Department of Justice, we will continue to do our part to keep our communities safe.”

James and his co-conspirators, including his supplier from Washington, had been under investigation by the SWMDTF since June 2023. Most of his co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty and received sentences in the United States District Court in either the District of Montana or the Western District of Washington.