Tri-Cities man sentenced for selling fentanyl linked to death
By Terry Murry on Monday, October 23rd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
RICHLAND, Washington – U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Vanessa R. Waldref, announced Friday, that Ron Montgomery, 43, of Richland has been sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl that results in a death. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edward F. Shea imposed a sentence of 51 months in federal custody followed by five years of supervised release.
According to information disclosed during court proceedings, investigators were led to Montgomery, following the death of a man in July of 2018 from a fentanyl overdose. Montgomery, along with Christopher West, who was sentenced in March, were identified as being responsible for selling the pills to the man that died.
During the next several months, investigators conducted surveillance on Montgomery and witnessed hundreds of quick visits to his residences, indicative of ongoing drug distribution. A search warrant was ultimately executed at Montgomery’s residence where fentanyl-laced pills, firearms and other evidence of distribution were located.
This case was investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI’s Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force which includes additional officers and detectives from the Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Richland Police Department, Border Patrol and Department of Corrections. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter.
