Billings Fentanyl Dealer Pleads Guilty After Postal Bust

A Billings man who trafficked significant amounts of fentanyl from his West End home pleaded guilty to federal drug and weapons charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.

Federal Penalties and Prison Time for Billings Fentanyl Charges

Jason Allen Lehman, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The trafficking charge carries a penalty of up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, a $5 million fine, and a $100 special assessment. The firearm charge carries a penalty of five years to life in prison, five years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided over the change of plea hearing. Sentencing was set for a later date, and U.S. District Judge Kathleen S. Lane will determine Lehman's sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Lehman remained on release pending further proceedings.

How Fentanyl Pills Were Shipped to Billings via the U.S. Postal Service

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Lehman used the postal service to obtain fentanyl pills, which he then trafficked around Billings from his home on the West End.

Intercepted Fentanyl Package Sparks Federal Drug Investigation

The investigation began Feb. 24, 2025, when law enforcement intercepted a suspicious package sent from an invalid Colorado address to a home on Green Teal Drive in Billings. Investigators obtained a warrant, opened the package, and found more than 100 grams of fentanyl in the form of 1,000 pills. A cell phone number associated with the package was registered to Lehman.

Informants and Search Warrants Link Billings Man to Fentanyl Sales

A month later, law enforcement spoke with a source who said they had purchased fentanyl from a man identified as "Jason Holtz," who drove a Ford F-150 and lived on Green Teal Drive. By April 2025, investigators had identified a second person who said they purchased fentanyl from Lehman at the Green Teal Drive address.

On April 21, 2025, law enforcement intercepted a second package containing fentanyl addressed to the same home. Investigators then obtained a search warrant for the residence and the Ford F-150. The search turned up roughly 1,500 fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, a handgun, a shotgun, an assault-style rifle, and a bolt-action hunting rifle.

Defendant Confesses to Fentanyl Distribution and Weapon Possession

In interviews with law enforcement, Lehman acknowledged purchasing fentanyl pills online that were shipped to his home under different names. He said he used most of the pills himself but also sold some and gave others away. He said he kept the firearms for protection.

Get our free mobile app

Law Enforcement Agencies Involved in the Billings Investigation

The U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.

Do You Remember Eating Here? Billings’ Most Missed Restaurants

Take a trip down memory lane as Billings residents share the restaurants they still miss most. From cozy diners and family favorites to iconic spots that defined a generation, these eateries may be gone, but they are never forgotten.

Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor

Struggling to Put Food on the Table? Here’s Where to Find Help in Billings

If you or someone you know is having a hard time keeping the pantry stocked, you’re not alone but help is closer than you think. From the Billings Food Bank to local churches, schools, and senior programs, these organizations are making sure no one in Yellowstone County goes hungry. Here’s where to find free groceries, hot meals, and community support when you need it most.