Billings man sentenced to over 13 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine

BILLINGS - A Billings man who distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine was sentenced today to 168 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.

Vincent Lee Bell, 33, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

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

The government alleged in court documents that in August of 2025, law enforcement learned from a confidential source that Bell was distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine in Billings. On August 28, 2024, utilizing a confidential source, law enforcement arranged a purchase of methamphetamine from Bell. Bell sold the confidential source 154.1 grams of actual methamphetamine.

On September 20, 2024, law enforcement conducted a second controlled purchase using a confidential source. Bell sold the source 102.3 grams of actual methamphetamine.

After his arrest, law enforcement searched Bell's vehicle and seized an additional 582.4 grams of actual methamphetamine.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. The DEA and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.

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