Jeffrey Frederic Nelson, 57, was sentenced Thursday to nine years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. His sentence also includes four years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Nelson entered a guilty plea in March. Federal investigators had begun examining his activities in October 2025, and an undercover agent bought multiple pounds of methamphetamine from him in January 2026.

Washington trips tied to Montana distribution

Investigators determined that Nelson and William Thomas Duncan traveled to Washington to obtain methamphetamine before bringing it back into Montana for distribution.

Authorities searched Duncan’s Roundup home on Jan. 22, seizing two pounds of methamphetamine, phones and more than 30 firearms. Duncan admitted he trafficked methamphetamine with Nelson.

Duncan received an 11-year, eight-month federal prison term in July. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.