East Helena Man Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine While Armed with Firearms

MISSOULA – Robert William Stubbins, 39, of East Helena was sentenced to ten years in prison and five years supervised release. Stubbins entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to possess with intent and to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in April. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sam Haddon issued the sentence.

According to the Offer of Proof filed in the case, Stubbins possessed firearms while dealing methamphetamine and heroin in East Helena from November 2016 through January 2017. During much of that time, Stubbins was armed and traded firearms for drugs and/or money. Stubbins sold methamphetamine, heroin, and a firearm during the investigation. The investigation ended in January when law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence. Methamphetamine, heroin, and a rifle were seized.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart. The case was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Helena Police Department, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and the DEA Western Laboratory.