HSI assists investigation into Montana man who admitted to drug trafficking conspiracy after receiving 2 packages totaling 10 pounds of meth

MISSOULA, Mont. — A Montana man today admitted to trafficking methamphetamine after telling law enforcement that he received meth totaling 10 pounds in two separate packages and worked with others to distribute the drug.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

David Ray Shaver, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth. Shaver faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Sept. 29. Shaver was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents in the case, the government alleged that law enforcement learned Shaver was involved in drug trafficking in Montana and was accepting packages of meth through the mail and then distributing the drug. When interviewed, Shaver admitted to purchasing meth for $6,000 a pound. He also said he accepted one package containing six pounds of meth in December 2018 and another package containing four pounds of meth in January 2019. The government further alleged that Shaver worked with other co-conspirators to distribute meth from about August 2018 until about February 2019.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants. 

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 Special Agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

To report a crime, call 866-347-2423 (TTY for hearing impaired: 802-872-6196) or visit the ICE Tip Line.