A Bozeman resident, Rene Montenegro-Virrey, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug-related charges, as announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. The 51-year-old had previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in December 2024. The decision was handed down by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen.
According to the prosecution, in August 2022, investigators learned that Montenegro-Virrey planned to travel to Bozeman to distribute 7,000 fentanyl pills and five pounds of methamphetamine. Subsequently, undercover purchases and controlled buys of drugs from Montenegro-Virrey occurred over several months. In August 2024, during one such transaction, undercover officers seized four pounds of methamphetamine from his vehicle.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office managed the prosecution with assistance from the Missouri River Drug Task Force, which undertook the investigation.
The case aligns with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aiming to curtail violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. It focuses on bolstering trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and measuring the outcomes. More details on Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.