Billings Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

A Billings woman has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community.

Federal Judge Imposes 10 Year Prison Sentence

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, 46-year-old Tori Lee Hutzenbieler was sentenced on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the sentencing. Hutzenbieler pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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Tip to Law Enforcement Leads to Surveillance and Investigation

Court documents state that in May 2023, law enforcement officers received information that Hutzenbieler was selling drugs in the Billings area. A source told investigators she was concealing drugs inside a hidden trap compartment in her Toyota Camry.

Through electronic surveillance, officers learned Hutzenbieler frequently visited a storage unit at unusual hours before driving around Billings and making multiple stops.

Search of Home and Vehicles Uncovers Drugs, Cash, and Hidden Compartments

Authorities executed a search warrant at Hutzenbieler’s residence, where they found fentanyl pills hidden under her mattress and $3,919 in cash in the bedroom.

Four vehicles at the residence were searched. Investigators located a trap compartment inside the Toyota Camry. A Buick used by Hutzenbieler was also searched, and officers found a bag of methamphetamine and several fentanyl pills in the trunk.

Drugs Found in Storage Unit and Evidence Recovered From Cell Phone

Law enforcement also searched Hutzenbieler’s storage unit, where methamphetamine and fentanyl pills were discovered inside a red cooler.

Investigators reviewed Hutzenbieler’s cell phone and found multiple text messages related to drug transactions, along with a photograph showing her holding a plastic bag containing a large quantity of methamphetamine.

Large Quantities of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Seized

In total, authorities determined Hutzenbieler possessed 393.5 grams of methamphetamine and 1,007 fentanyl pills.

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Federal Prosecutors and Investigators Led the Case

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.