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Bozeman Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine Charge

Raven Renay Thompson faces up to life in prison following a guilty plea in federal court in Montana.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 10:20 a.m. ET
According to official court records from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana, Raven Renay Thompson, 26, of Bozeman, guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The case was announced on Aug. 13, 2026, under release number . Thompson remained in custody pending further proceedings. Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith stated that U.S. District Judge Kathleen Lane presided over the plea hearing and will determine the punishment after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Under the statute, Thompson faces a potential penalty of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9,2026. In court filings, the government alleged that Thompson distributed methamphetamine for Chad Bachmann, who received a prison term of more than 18 years in July 2026 for drug trafficking. Bachmann transported large amounts of methamphetamine from Washington, Oregon, and California into Montana, admitting to multiple trips to meet suppliers. In 2025, Bachmann provided a significant amount of the drug to Thompson and codefendant Dakota Towner to sell in the Bozeman area. Towner guilty to methamphetamine possession charges in June and faces sentencing in October. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 14:20current

    First published.

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