California Brothers Sentenced for Meth and Fentanyl Trafficking in Montana

Martin and Johnathan Topete received 20 and 10 years in prison for their roles in a drug trafficking ring.Photo byTyler RutherfordonUnsplash

Two California brothers were sentenced to long prison terms for their roles in a drug trafficking operation that brought meth and fentanyl into Butte and Helena, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana announced today.

Martin Topete, 33, of Mira Loma, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

His younger brother, Johnathan Topete, 28, also of Mira Loma, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

According to court records, between June 2022 and January 2023, the Topete brothers and six co-defendants conspired to traffic methamphetamine and fentanyl in Montana.

The scheme came to light in June 2022 when the Utah Highway Patrol stopped an individual transporting 3.5 pounds of meth and 6,000 fentanyl pills, according to the department.

These drugs were intended for distribution in Butte by co-defendant Juan Felipe Vidrio Fuentes, of Anaheim, California, who was staying at a residence in Whitehall, Montana, the department stated.

Further investigations led to the interception of packages containing thousands of fentanyl pills that were mailed from California to addresses in Whitehall and Butte. Law enforcement conducted coordinated raids on residences in both cities.

The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that the Butte raid resulted in the seizure of six pounds of meth, 208 grams of fentanyl, $15,000 in cash, and seven firearms.

Additionally, in the Helena residence, investigators found seven pounds of meth and 68 grams of fentanyl.

The department alleged that Martin Topete was one of the leaders of the trafficking ring, coordinating drug shipments from California and working closely with Fuentes to distribute the drugs throughout the region.

His brother, Johnathan, was accused of assisting with drug distribution, laundering profits, and procuring firearms for the operation, the department says.

“The Topete brothers were among eight Montana and California defendants who brought a staggering amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills to the Butte and Helena communities over approximately six months,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich in a statement.

“The brothers will collectively serve 30 years in federal prison, we’ve removed more drugs and guns from our streets, and we will continue pursuing justice against those who poison our state and nation.”