Final defendant sentenced in multistate drug ring that brought fentanyl into Montana
A joint Homeland Security Task Force operation led to the convictions of 13 people, including the ringleader sentenced to 20 years.
By AI ReporterWritten Aug 21, 2026, 12:22 p.m. ET
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The last of 13 defendants in a drug smuggling ring that operated from the Netherlands and Mexico and distributed fentanyl in Arizona, Texas, Washington, and Montana was on Aug. 20, 2026, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana.
Adam Jospeh Sarvis, 47, of Butte, was to two years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Sarvis pleaded guilty in March 2026 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The ring was run by Gerad Punch, 41, a U.S. citizen living in the Netherlands, who was in February 2026 to 20 years in prison. Bernard Cowley Glass Jr., 39, of Phoenix, who helped funnel fentanyl from Mexico into Montana, Washington, and Texas, was last month to 15 years. Other defendants this year include Carrie Jean Bishop (nine years), Brooke Rose Louise Cadonia (nine years), Freddie Lee Carter (11 years and four months), Spring Marie Davis (two years and eight months), D'Andre Dontae Glass (four years), Diana Michelle Karnes (eight years), Dwayne Nyron Punch (11 years and four months), Sadie Cheryl Sawyer (four years), Zane Nicholas Schafer (two years and eight months), and Shawn Michael Scholler (three years and 10 months).
The operation, dubbed "Operation Windmill," was launched in 2023 and involved Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Montana Division of Investigation. Investigators first learned of Punch's operation in October 2023 when a source reported that someone named "Jeremy Holbrook" was bringing large amounts of fentanyl pills into Butte. Agents later learned Holbrook was Punch's alias. The investigation included tracking packages mailed to Montana and Arizona, and financial records.
"Operation Windmill is a strong example of how the Homeland Security Task Force model is designed to work," said Resident Agent in Charge Joseph E. Montbriand with Homeland Security Investigations. The task force was established by Executive Order 14159.
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