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Billings man admits in federal court to selling drugs

Posted at 11:01 PM, Mar 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-12 17:26:25-04

BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of drug dealing admitted in federal court Tuesday to drug and firearms charges.

Kevin James Maslen, 55, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said in a news release.

According to prosecutors, an undercover agent bought meth, morphine and oxycodone from Maslen starting in June 2017.

In May 2018, law enforcement obtained a warrant to search Maslen’s home and found 30 grams of meth, 83 oxycodone tablets and firearms, Alme said. Maslen also admitted to selling meth and pills to federal agents, who seized 78 grams of meth.

Maslen faces a minimum mandatory of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan of Billings presided and will recommend the plea be accepted by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watter, who is hearing the case. Maslen was released pending sentencing.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime.