Missoula meth dealer sentenced to prison

MISSOULA—A Missoula man who admitted to distributing methamphetamine in the community for several years was sentenced today to 18 months in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Bradley Scott Lane, 37, pleaded guilty in December to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said that in October 2018, the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force had an informant buy an ounce of meth from Lane for $800. A DEA lab test determined the product contained a small amount of meth. In an interview with law enforcement, Lane admitted to distributing meth, primarily eight-balls, which is one-eighth of an ounce. In addition other individuals interviewed by law enforcement said they bought meth from Lane from about 2017 to 2019.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thaggard prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.