Great Falls heroin trafficker sentenced to 78 months in prison

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to traveling outside of Montana to obtain large quantities of heroin for resale throughout the state was sentenced today to 78 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Brocktin James Russo, 31, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged in court documents that for four years, Russo traveled out of state to acquire large amounts of heroin for resale in Montana. In January 2021, law enforcement seized more than 500 grams, which is a little more than one pound, from Russo’s suitcase in a traffic stop. Russo admitted to selling several kilograms of heroin per month and claimed that more than $2 million in heroin passed had through his hands during the four years. A kilogram is the equivalent of 2.2 pounds. Russo admitted to traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada, and to Chicago, Illinois, to obtain heroin.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force and the Great Falls Police Department.

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