A Helena man, Charles Clifford Hamlin, aged 61, has admitted to charges related to a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. Hamlin entered a guilty plea for the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Hamlin is facing severe penalties, including a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment, along with a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case and will decide on the sentencing after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. Sentencing is scheduled for June 5, with Hamlin being detained until further proceedings.
As part of a plea agreement filed in court, both parties have agreed that Hamlin would serve between 15 and 20 years in prison.
The government's allegations stem from an investigation initiated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and United States Postal Service after intercepting a package intended for Hamlin in August 2021 containing approximately three pounds of methamphetamine. Investigations revealed Hamlin as a significant narcotics distributor through various sources who worked with him to transport meth from California and Oregon to Montana.
One source reported regular deliveries from Oregon every two-and-a-half weeks that included about seven pounds of meth, thousands of fentanyl pills, cocaine, and heroin intended for distribution by Hamlin.
In December 2023, law enforcement searched Hamlin's truck during a traffic stop based on suspected probation violations and found around 18 grams of methamphetamine hidden in his gas tank flap. Subsequent investigations involved controlled purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills from Hamlin.
In February 2024, authorities intercepted an individual in Powell County possessing nine pounds of methamphetamine and over six thousand fentanyl pills destined for Hamlin.
The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigations conducted by multiple agencies including the Missouri River Drug Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives among others.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative efforts across law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. For more information about PSN initiatives visit Justice.gov/PSN.