Montana man sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine

HELENA, Mont. – A Montana man was sentenced Friday to four years in federal prison following his guilty plea to distributing methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter, District of Montana.

This investigation was a cooperative effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Lab.

Shawn Anthony Fernandez, 49, from Butte, Mont., was sentenced Oct. 25 by U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon to 48 months in federal prison. He must also serve five years of supervised release.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart, District of Montana, the government stated it would have proved the following at trial:

• From approximately December 2011 until approximately July 2012, Fernandez and others possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in Butte and other places in Montana. The methamphetamine came from Las Vegas for distribution in the Butte area.
• Fernandez was arrested by law enforcement on July 29, 2012, with approximately 110 grams of pure methamphetamine in the trunk of his vehicle and hidden in the bottom of a cereal box.
• Fernandez admitted to this conduct when interviewed by law enforcement. This information was confirmed through the interview of other witnesses. Money Gram records also confirmed Fernandez’s admissions.
• A laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of methamphetamine that was confiscated by law enforcement during their investigation.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that Fernandez will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Fernandez can earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction cannot exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.