Executive Summary
- Stephanie Marie Nava was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.
- The investigation by the DEA and Billings Police recovered fentanyl and pounds of methamphetamine from homes and hotels.
- Court documents indicate the trafficking operation was coordinated partly while the defendants were in Mexico.
Stephanie Marie Nava, 37, of Billings, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Wednesday for her involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters imposed the term of 60 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Court records indicate that Nava pleaded guilty in September 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The sentencing concludes an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Billings Police Department. Prosecutors stated that the inquiry began on June 26, 2023, when officers executed a search warrant at an apartment linked to Nava. During the search, authorities reported seizing approximately seven grams of fentanyl pills and nearly 17 grams of methamphetamine.
Subsequent investigation led law enforcement to a Billings hotel room, where an additional 2.77 pounds of methamphetamine were confiscated. According to court filings, the operation originally involved approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine, a significant portion of which had allegedly been distributed prior to the seizures. Investigators noted that Nava and a co-defendant had coordinated the distribution logistics while located in Mexico.
Federal Sentencing and Trafficking Implications
This case underscores the substantial federal penalties associated with the distribution of methamphetamine, particularly when the operation involves significant quantities and cross-border coordination. The five-year sentence reflects federal guidelines that weigh the volume of narcotics seized—in this instance, implicating nearly eight pounds across the conspiracy—against the defendant’s specific role in the distribution hierarchy. While Nava has entered a guilty plea and received sentencing, it is important to note that any other individuals cited in connection with this investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
