Two Montana women sentenced to prison in separate federal drug and gun cases
Photo illustration by Getty Images.
A Billings woman who admitted to trafficking fentanyl while possessing a firearm was sentenced to 11 years in prison and five years supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney's Kurt Alme, and in a separate case a Livingston woman was sentenced to three years in prison and 4 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over both cases.
Renee Esperanza Arambula, 27, of Billings pleaded guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
According to a Tuesday U.S Attorney's office press release, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency began investigating Arambula for suspected drug trafficking in 2023. Agents discovered through financial documents that between May 2020 and January 2023, Arambula deposited more than $230,000 of cash into a bank and received thousands more through electronic payments, but was making only a fraction of that through formal employment income.
Based on financial analysis, witness interview, surveillance and other investigations, the DEA learned Arambula was trafficking fentanyl and other drugs around Billings, with several individuals admitting to purchasing drugs from her.
According to statements made at the sentencing hearing and in court documents, in January 2023, Arambula used a firearm to shoot two unarmed men while trafficking, shooting one in the neck and leaving him a partially paralyzed, and shooting the second in the abdomen. Law enforcement recovered fentanyl pills and a firearm in Arambula's possession.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Billings Police Department.
Livingston resident Jennifer Michelle Hall, 44, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to possession with intent to distribute meth and prohibited possession of a firearm.
The government alleged in court documents that Montana law enforcement had identified Hall as someone selling methamphetamine for 'more serious distributors' in the Livingston area.
In December 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hall's residence and recovered methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and a semi-automatic pistol. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also recovered Halls' phone and iPad.
In an interview with law enforcement, Hall admitted to possessing the meth and firearm, but denied she was selling drugs.
However, text messages on Hall's electronics, obtained through search warrants, showed Hall was both using and selling drugs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Park County Sheriff's Office.
Both cases are 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.
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