Federal Case Reveals Billings Woman’s Meth Operation

A Billings woman who admitted to distributing methamphetamine will spend the next several years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

Rita Denny, 45, was sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced. Denny previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case.

Controlled Drug Purchase Sparks Investigation

The investigation traces back to September 21, 2022, when law enforcement officers arranged a controlled purchase of methamphetamine and fentanyl from a co-defendant.

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Agents arrived at the location and arrested the co-defendant, who was found with 50 fentanyl pills and about 64 grams of methamphetamine.

During the arrest, the co-defendant’s passenger told investigators that a woman named “Rita” had supplied the drugs to the co-defendant.

Phone Evidence Links Denny to Case

After the arrest, agents obtained a search warrant for the co-defendant’s phone.

According to court documents, investigators discovered messages between the co-defendant and Rita Denny. Those messages allegedly showed that Denny was supplying drugs and instructing the co-defendant on the prices the drugs should be sold for.

The information helped investigators connect Denny directly to the drug distribution operation.

Search Warrant Uncovers Meth and Cash

Just over a week later, on September 30, 2022, agents executed a search warrant at Denny’s residence in Billings.

During the search, investigators seized 179.9 grams of methamphetamine along with $5,694 in cash, according to court records.

Denny agreed to speak with agents during the investigation.

Denny Admits Out-of-State Meth Purchases

While speaking with investigators, Denny admitted to traveling to California to purchase large amounts of methamphetamine.

She told agents she had taken two recent trips to California, buying approximately five pounds of methamphetamine on each trip before returning to Montana.

Those admissions became part of the evidence used in the federal case against her.

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Law Enforcement and Prosecution

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

The investigation was conducted by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Denny will now serve her 87-month federal prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release upon her release.