Billings man sentenced to 3 years in prison for attempted drug trafficking after wife tips off authorities

BILLINGS - A Billings man who was receiving drug shipments in the mail was sentenced Friday afternoon to three years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.

Jonathan Lloyd Erwin, 38, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

The government alleged in court documents that Erwin received at least one package of methamphetamine in the mail, which he had intended to sell. The package came to light after Erwin's wife contacted the U.S. Postal Service in February 2025 and told them her husband was receiving packages of drugs in the mail.

USPS officials began watching for packages addressed to Erwin and on March 11, 2025, they intercepted a suspicious parcel intended for Erwin that had been sent from a fake address. Agents obtained a warrant and searched the package, where they found 7.5 ounces of meth. Agents replaced the meth with rock salt and delivered the package to Erwin, who received it and took it into his garage. Authorities returned with a warrant and found the package hidden in Erwin's garage rafters. His wife, who was present for the search, again reiterated to agents that her husband was receiving drugs in the mail. A search of Erwin's phone showed messages where he discussed buying meth off the dark web, tracking packages that were shipped to him, and selling what he purchased.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Godfrey prosecuted the case. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.