Lance Lewis Sentenced in U.S. District Court
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on February 20, 2009, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, LANCE LEWIS, appeared for sentencing. LEWIS was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 235 months
- Special Assessment: $300
- Supervised Release: 6 years
LEWIS was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to distribution of methamphetamine.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On October 9, 2007, in Billings, a confidential informant purchased an "eight ball" of methamphetamine from LEWIS. The DEA Western Regional Laboratory examined the substance and determined it was 3.3 grams of methamphetamine, which was 29.7% pure, for a total of .98 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Later that same evening at the same location, LEWIS gave the confidential informant 1/4 ounce of methamphetamine for $630. The DEA Western Regional Laboratory examined the substance and determined it was 6.4 grams of methamphetamine, at 32.4% pure, making 2.0 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On June 19, 2008, at a different location in Billings, another confidential informant purchased a "teener" of methamphetamine from LEWIS for $175. The DEA Western Regional Laboratory examined the substance and determined it was 1.8 grams of methamphetamine, which was 14.2% pure, making .25 grams of actual methamphetamine.
On July 18, 2008, LEWIS was arrested. Following LEWIS' arrest, his vehicle was searched by investigators. Methamphetamine was found and seized from the vehicle. The DEA Western Regional Laboratory examined the substance and determined that 3.9 grams of methamphetamine were seized, at 21.5% pure, making .83 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that LEWIS will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, LEWIS does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Seykora prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
