(Great Falls) – A Washington man suspected of trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation admitted to a drug crime on Tuesday according to United States Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
Antonio Penalosa Infante, 36, of Spokane Washington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Infante faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a ten million dollar fined and at least five years of supervised release.
The government alleged in court documents that in the fall of 2022, the FBI received reports that Infante was bringing controlled substances to the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. During a traffic stop in December 2022 by the Montana Highway Patrol, officers recovered a total of 91 fentanyl pills, two pistols, cocaine, and methamphetamine from the vehicle in which Infante was a passenger. Infante later said the drugs were his and intended only for personal use. In a second traffic stop of Infante on the reservation ten days later, officers located a half pound of meth, approximately 100 fentanyl pills, cocaine, and a loaded nine-millimeter magazine. Officers found a nine-millimeter pistol in the police officer’s vehicle where Infante had been seated for transportation following the traffic stop. Additionally, in January, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of 100 fentanyl pills from Infante. In a third traffic stop on Infante on the reservation, officers located meth and 76 fentanyl pills. In February the FBI executed a search warrant on a residence where Infante had been staying and recovered a large quantity of meth that was determined to be nine point eight pounds of the drug which is approximately 35,515 doses.
U.S Chief District Judge Brian M. Morris set sentencing for November 21st and Infante was detained pending further proceedings.
