Billings Man Gets Nearly 12 Years For Drug Trafficking

A Billings man convicted of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine into Montana was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years and eight months in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana. He'll also serve five years of supervised release once he's out.

Billings Man Pleaded Guilty To Distribution Charges In April

Brian John Schmidt, Jr., 41, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case, and Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith announced the sentence.

Denver Drug Run Led To Traffic Stop On Return To Montana

According to court documents, Schmidt traveled to Denver in March 2024 with two others to buy fentanyl and methamphetamine, then brought the drugs back to Montana to sell. Law enforcement began looking into one of those co-defendants, Michael Anthony Moen, after receiving a tip that he had driven to Denver on March 8, 2024, intending to purchase illicit drugs.

Agents tracked the vehicle Moen was traveling in and stopped it as it crossed back into Montana. Schmidt and Lindsey Pearl Lynn were also in the car at the time.

Schmidt Tried To Swallow Fentanyl During Traffic Stop

After the stop, the three gave conflicting accounts of who was buying the drugs and who knew the seller, court documents state. At one point, Schmidt attempted to ingest a bag of fentanyl pills in an effort to keep them from being discovered. He later admitted to agents that he had gone to Denver specifically to obtain the drugs for distribution in Billings.

Co-Defendants Moen And Lynn Await Sentencing This Fall

Moen and Lynn both pleaded guilty earlier this year to drug trafficking charges. Moen is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 3, and Lynn's sentencing is set for Dec. 10.