Billings, Montana – A Billings man has admitted to a federal drug charge after prosecutors said he distributed methamphetamine in southeastern Montana, including on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations.
Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith announced that Charles Jesse Sanchez Jr., 61, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in federal court.
Because of the offense, Sanchez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment. He also faces a fine of up to $10 million and at least five years of supervised release following any prison sentence.
The change of plea hearing was held before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan. A sentencing date has not yet been announced. U.S. District Judge Kathleen S. Lane will decide the final sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other legal factors. Sanchez remains in custody while the case moves toward sentencing.
Investigation centered on controlled drug purchase
According to court documents, prosecutors alleged that Sanchez, who was also known as “Chuck” Sanchez, was involved in distributing methamphetamine in Billings as well as on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations.
Investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) used a confidential source during the investigation. Authorities alleged that on June 19, 2023, the source arranged to buy four ounces of methamphetamine from Sanchez.
Court records state that the confidential source contacted Sanchez through messages before meeting him in Billings. During the meeting, authorities alleged that Sanchez handed over the methamphetamine after hiding it inside a package of baby wipes.
Investigators also obtained Facebook messages that, according to prosecutors, showed conversations arranging the methamphetamine purchase with Sanchez.
Federal prosecutors noted that Sanchez has prior federal drug convictions. According to court records, he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2000 and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 2017.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, while the investigation was carried out by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Although Sanchez has now entered a guilty plea, his sentence has not yet been determined. The court will make that decision during a future sentencing hearing after considering the applicable federal guidelines and other statutory requirements.
