Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl Linked to Overdose Death

Richland, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Ron Montgomery, age 43, of Richland has been sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Senior United States District Court Judge Edward F. Shea imposed a sentence of 51 months in federal custody followed by five years of supervised release.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, investigators were led to Montgomery, following the death of a man in July of 2018 from a fentanyl overdose.  Montgomery, along with Christopher West, who was sentenced in March, were identified as being responsible for selling the pills to the man that died.  During the next several months, investigators conducted surveillance on Montgomery and witnessed hundreds of quick visits to his residences, indicative of ongoing drug distribution.  A search warrant was ultimately executed at Montgomery’s residence where fentanyl laced pills, firearms and other evidence of distribution were located. 

Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington stated, “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing our great nation.  The sentence imposed sends a stern warning to those who may seek to distribute this poison in our community that they will face significant consequences. The Eastern District of Washington is safer and stronger today as a result of the incredible partnership of our law enforcement agencies, who came together to investigate and successfully prosecute this important and tragic case.”

"Mr. Montgomery distributed dangerous drugs into his own community for years." said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Seattle field office. "While we have taken one drug dealer off the streets, the FBI and our partners will continue working to provide safer neighborhoods for the citizens we've sworn to protect."

This case was investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI’s Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force which includes additional officers and detectives from the Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Richland Police Department, Border Patrol and Department of Corrections. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter.

4:20-CR-06003-SMJ