Bozeman men sentenced to prison for trafficking meth from Las Vegas

MISSOULA - Two Bozeman men who brought meth up from Las Vegas into Montana were sentenced to prison this week, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.

Billy Eugene Dodson, 54, who pleaded guilty in May 2026 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Jamie Demetrius Williams, 38, who pleaded guilty in May 2026 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, was sentenced this week to seven years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Dodson and Williams trafficked methamphetamine from Las Vegas to Montana in the summer of 2025. Williams had come to the attention of law enforcement in early June when he sold meth to an informant. A couple weeks later, investigators learned Williams and Dodson were planning to travel to Las Vegas to purchase meth.

Using a warrant, law enforcement tracked Williams's vehicle from Las Vegas to Montana, and pulled the pair over in Silver Bow County. Investigators searched the car and found a handgun, a small amount of meth, and drug paraphernalia. Dodson admitted to owning the gun. Williams admitted they had travelled to Las Vegas to buy a pound of meth but "ran out of money."

Law enforcement pulled over Dodson again on Aug. 10, 2025, as he returned from Las Vegas, finding just under a pound of meth in the glove compartment. Dodson admitted to making several trips to Las Vegas during the previous eight months, picking up pounds of meth each time to sell in Gallatin County.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. The Missouri River Drug Task Force and the FBI conducted the investigation.