Michigan man admits trafficking fentanyl on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS—A Michigan man admitted on Aug. 22 to bringing fentanyl pills to the Rocky Boy’s Indian reservation for distribution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.

Romeiro Mased Williams, aka Rico, 30, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Williams faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Dec. 8. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Williams was released pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that in December 2020, the FBI was investigating a number of individuals from the Detroit area who were suspected to be distributing fentanyl on and around the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. The FBI learned in mid-December that one of the individuals from this group, identified as Williams, was picked up at the Great Falls airport and taken to a home on Rocky Boy’s. Williams and John Doe, the resident of the home, were seen with pills and cash. The FBI executed a search warrant at the residence. Williams, John Doe and others were present. Officers seized about $920 in cash from Williams’ pocket and a bag of fentanyl was found on the floor. Williams claimed to have traveled from Michigan to Rocky Boy’s looking for a better place to live and denied ever seeing pills and knowing anything about drug trafficking. John Doe and others at the residence stated that Williams, had in fact, brought the pills that were seized. John Doe also admitted to helping Williams connect with local drug purchasers. Approximately 179 pills were submitted for DEA testing, and all tested pills contained fentanyl.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Tri Agency Task Force, Russell Country High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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