GREAT FALLS — Nicole Smith of Browning was sentenced in federal court in Great Falls on Wednesday to 42 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said in a news release that Smith admitted selling methamphetamine in the community for more than two years
Smith, 34 years old, pleaded guilty in October to possession with intent to distribute meth.
In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said Smith possessed and distributed meth on and near the Blackfeet Reservation and out of Cut Bank. The Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Cut Bank Police Department received information in June 2018 that Smith was selling meth. Confidential sources indicated they had bought meth from Smith on numerous occasions and at times bought “pound quantities.” Law enforcement officers also conducted a controlled meth buy from Smith that same month.
In April 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration agents met with Smith, who was in custody on a traffic stop. After advising Smith of the evidence against her, Smith admitted she had obtained and sold several eight-balls of meth every week for more than the past two years. Smith also admitted getting five to six ounces of meth from a different supplier for redistribution.
Smith was also ordered to enroll in the federal Bureau of Prison's Residential Drug Treatment Program.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided. Smith was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service after the sentencing hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and DEA.
