'Crystal Highway' man sentenced to 32 months

Justin Roland Turner, one of three Havre men who took part in a meth-trafficking ring, was sentenced Tuesday to two years and eight months in prison followed by four months of supervised release. He was ordered to forfeit the money gained from the trafficking.

U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris imposed the sentence Tuesday.

The drug traffickers involved were caught up during the investigation of meth that was being moved from California to North Dakota, dubbed “Operation Highline Crystal Highway.”

The investigation resulted in the prosecution of 20 defendants from along the drug trafficking route, and legal documents name Belt, Butte, Great Falls, Havre and Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation as being a part of the investigation.

Samuel Cale Chapman, 33, of Havre pleaded guilty Nov. 18 to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

John Edward Derry, 35, of Havre pleaded guilty Dec. 16 to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Turner will be allowed to self-report to start his sentence.