Garryowen man sentenced to 21 months for drug trafficking

BILLINGS - A Garryowen man who was found with 34 grams of meth after crashing his car was sentenced today to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.

Ricky Crawford Birdinground, 47, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided.

The government alleged in court documents that Birdinground was traveling along Highway 212 near Crow Agency when he crashed his vehicle into the guardrail. Law enforcement saw the disabled vehicle and watched as Birdinground tried to climb out the passenger side of the car.

After receiving conflicting information from Birdinground, officers determined that he had been driving and that he owned the vehicle. Law enforcement searched the car and found two baggies with 34 grams of methamphetamine, and in Birdinground's pocket they found a glass pipe. Birdinground admitted to using meth everyday. Additionally, officers found messages on his phone about purchasing and dealing meth.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. The BIA conducted the investigation.