Meth trafficking in Billings sends Washington woman to prison for 10 years

BILLINGS  — A Washington woman was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, after she was caught while trying to flee law enforcement and admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the Billings community, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Lyzette Vargas, 41, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The government alleged in court documents that in September 2022, agents with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force learned that Vargas was distributing large quantities of fentanyl pills in Billings. Law enforcement pulled over a vehicle Vargas was driving, but as the officer approached, Vargas switched seats with a passenger, who then sped away. A short time later, officers located the vehicle, which was abandoned. In a search of the area, law enforcement located Vargas, who tried to flee but was caught and arrested. Agents searched a bag Vargas had possessed and found it contained approximately 873 grams, which is almost two pounds, of meth.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

XXX