Skip to main content
Press Release

Billings Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Trafficking Meth

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana

BILLINGS – A Billings man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and heroin was sentenced today to 72 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Christopher Dennis Shelton, 43, pleaded guilty on November 23, 2020 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Shelton was detained.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in July 2019, Shelton, after being found in possession of a stolen trailer, fled with his co-defendant, Susan Wilkinson,  in a truck that contained 56 grams of meth and 22 grams of heroin. Later that day, Shelton and Wilkinson attempted to escape from law enforcement in a grocery store parking lot by entering a stranger’s vehicle and seeking help. When the stranger refused, Shelton fled on foot while Wilkinson was arrested. Wilkinson pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

Contact

CLAIR JOHNSON HOWARD
Public Information Officer
(406) 247-4623

Updated May 26, 2021

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Drug Trafficking