Washington man convicted for role in massive Crow meth trafficking ring

(press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office)

BILLINGS — A Washington man who traveled to the Crow Indian Reservation to distribute methamphetamine as part of a large-scale conspiracy was sentenced today to seven years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his felony drug trafficking conviction, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Daniel Jiminez-Chavez, aka Raton, 40, of Okanogan, Wash., and a Mexican citizen, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The government alleged in court documents that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, conducted a large-scale narcotics trafficking investigation centered on several properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one called Spear Siding, were a source of methamphetamine supply for the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations from approximately January 2022 to March 2023. Jiminez-Chavez is one of two dozen individuals associated with the investigation.

The government alleged that Jiminez-Chavez was among the top leaders in the conspiracy and that he came to Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation, from Washington around February 2023 to distribute methamphetamine and act as a guard. He had no ties to Montana, other than a directive to take care of one of the houses involved in the conspiracy and to sell drugs for a co-conspirator. Jiminez-Chavez began staying at a house known as the Bloodman Residence, which was near Spear Siding. While at the residence, Jiminez-Chavez distributed methamphetamine to approximately six other people involved in the case with the help of another co-conspirator, who served as his interpreter. Jiminez-Chavez was in Montana about two months before his arrest. Jiminez-Chavez was responsible for distributing at least 4.5 kilograms, or nearly 10 pounds, of methamphetamine over a two-month period. Ten pounds of meth equals approximately 36,240 doses.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone . On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a Violent Crime Reduction Strategy strengthening the PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community organizations that help prevent violence in the first place place, establish targeted and strategic application priorities and measure results.