An armed fentanyl trafficker from Washington who admitted to distributing the drug in Great Falls was sentenced in federal court on Jan. 4 to five years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a release.

Jerry Scot Saunders, 35, of Houkem, Wash., pleaded guilty in August 2023 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

Washington man sentenced for dealing fentanyl in Great Falls

Prosecutors alleged that Saunders was a significant drug dealer in Great Falls and that in early 2022, law enforcement searched for him because he had absconded from his state probation officer, according to court documents.

Detectives learned Saunders was distributing fentanyl in Great Falls and located him in a motel room with two firearms and more than 600 fentanyl pills, according to court documents.

Investigators determined that Saunders had been driving to Spokane, Wash., to purchase fentanyl pills to sell in Great Falls, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Saunders had a prior felony conviction from 2018 in Flathead County and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica A. Betley and Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case.

The Russell Country Drug Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.

Great Falls man sentenced for fentanyl trafficking

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Washington man admits trafficking fentanyl in Great Falls

On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results.

Jenn Rowell

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