Billings man pleads guilty to trafficking methamphetamine on Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations

BILLINGS - A Billings man who trafficked methamphetamine on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.

The defendant, Charles Jesse Sanchez, Jr., 61, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sanchez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided at the change of plea hearing and sentencing will be set for a later date. U.S. District Judge Kathleen S. Lane will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sanchez remained detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that Charles "Chuck" Sanchez is known to distribute methamphetamine in Billings, and on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Using a confidential source, BIA and FBI purchased four ounces of methamphetamine from Sanchez on June 19, 2023. The source messaged Sanchez and met with him in Billings. Sanchez provided the methamphetamine hidden inside a package of baby wipes. The source showed agents Facebook messages coordinating the purchase of meth from Sanchez.

Sanchez was previously convicted in U.S. District Court for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine (2000) and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (2017).

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.

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