Billings woman admits trafficking meth, heroin and fentanyl

BILLINGS—A Billings woman today admitted a drug trafficking crime after law enforcement seized methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl during an investigation, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said.

Lisa Ann Emmett, 34, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Emmett faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. Emmett was released pending further proceedings.

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration developed information that Emmett and co-defendant, Anthony Walker, had been receiving distributable amounts of meth and heroin in the U.S. mail. DEA agents conducted several controlled buys from Emmett and Walter. Walter has pleaded guilty to charges and is pending sentencing.

On Aug. 30, 2019, a U.S. Postal Inspector intercepted a suspicious package destined to Walker’s business address. The package was searched pursuant to a warrant and investigators found about 465.1 grams of meth, which is approximately one pound, and 61.1 grams of heroin, which was similar to “China white” heroin.

The package was delivered to Walter’s business, and Walter took possession of the package. Agents executed a search warrant on the business. Both Walter and Emmett were present and directed agents to their drug stash. Agents located heroin, meth and marijuana in a black container. The meth was determined to be 99 percent pure. The China white heroin was determined to contain 51.6 grams of fentanyl.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten is prosecuting 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 48% from 2013 to 2019. 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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