Billings methamphetamine trafficker sentenced to 10 years in prison

BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted trafficking methamphetamine after law enforcement officers found the drug and more than $12,000 during a search at his home was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

John Jay Dudik, IV, 67, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Dudik was allowed to report to prison.

The prosecution said in court records filed in the case that Drug Enforcement Administration agents in March 2019 met with an individual who provided information that a male named Jay was providing large quantities of meth to another person and had pounds of the drug at his residence. The investigation led to a search warrant being executed on March 7, 2019 on Dudik's residence. Dudik was at home and detained during the search. Agents seized meth, which totaled about 144 grams of pure meth, $12,389 in currency from Dudik's safe, $950 from Dudik's person and other drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Dudik told agents he used a lot of meth and usually had an ounce at his house. He said thought he had about one and a half ounces of meth at the time of the search warrant execution. He claimed all of the meth he had was for personal and social use.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. 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.

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