Billings Man Sentenced After Police Find Nearly Quarter Pound of Meth in Backpack

A Billings man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after admitting he intended to distribute methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana.

Billings Walmart Backpack Search Led to Federal Drug Case

Federal prosecutors said 41-year-old Derrick Lee Moore was sentenced to six years and five months in prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The charges stem from an incident on Sept. 25, 2023, at a Walmart on Billings' West End.

According to court documents, Moore was on probation at the time and was reportedly in violation of its terms. When officers responded to the store, they escorted Moore outside and searched his backpack.

Police Found Nearly Quarter Pound of Meth in Backpack

According to court documents, investigators recovered a glass pipe, 12 bags containing just under a quarter pound of methamphetamine, $74 in cash, and a notebook believed to be a drug ledger.

Moore later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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Billings Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters sentenced Moore to six years and five months in federal prison. After completing his prison sentence, Moore will serve four years of supervised release.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana. The FBI investigated the case.