MISSOULA, Mont. — A Spokane, Washington man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a federal drug charge after law enforcement found more than 700 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop in Browning.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nicholas Benton Severns, 36, admitted in court to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. At sentencing, he now faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, with a possible maximum of 40 years, a $5 million fine, and at least four years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the hearing and will sentence Severns on November 12, 2025.Severns was released on conditions pending further proceedings.
The case stems from a 2023 traffic stop conducted by Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services. Officers stopped a white Chevy Malibu that had just left a residence known for drug activity. Authorities say the driver had no license, no insurance, and was wanted in Washington state. Severns, the passenger, also had an expired license…