Two Missoula residents have admitted to charges related to the distribution of substantial quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine within their community. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced that Taylor Gale Penny, 35, and Joey Lee Forward, 34, each pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, along with a potential $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
The proceedings were overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto, with sentencing scheduled for April 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. While Penny was detained pending further proceedings, Forward was released under similar conditions.
According to court documents presented by the government, an investigation by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force revealed that Penny and Forward were involved in distributing more than 100,000 fentanyl pills and significant amounts of methamphetamine between November 2023 and September 2024. Law enforcement found them in possession of over 1,000 fentanyl pills and 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine during various encounters.
Confidential sources identified Penny and Forward as major drug dealers in Missoula. Following her arrest on September 3, 2024, Penny confessed to law enforcement that she began distributing fentanyl in January 2024 to support her addiction. By March of the same year, she was reportedly distributing around 5,000 fentanyl pills weekly in Missoula and acknowledged distributing over 120,000 pills over nine months.
Penny disclosed that she met Forward two years ago and initially purchased fentanyl pills from him before they collaborated on distribution efforts. She estimated that Forward distributed four ounces of methamphetamine weekly over six months, totaling approximately six pounds.
Forward also admitted to law enforcement his involvement in distributing both methamphetamine and fentanyl powder alongside an average daily distribution of 85 fentanyl pills.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office following an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence while enhancing neighborhood safety through strategic initiatives focused on fostering community trust and setting targeted enforcement priorities.
For additional details about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.