GREAT FALLS — Charles Eugene Venditti, a Billings tattoo shop owner, was sentenced in federal court in Billings on Tuesday to 15 years and eight months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for several meth- related crimes.
Venditti, 42 years old, was convicted by jury in August of five counts in federal court, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth, and three counts of distribution, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Prosecutors said during the trial that a confidential informant made three monitored buys from Venditti, including two from his tattoo business at 145 Grand Avenue and one in his vehicle. Each purchase was for an ounce of meth for $800.
Law enforcement officers then searched Venditti's residence and found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of meth. A search was also conducted at the business.
After sentencing, Venditti was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided at the sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Godfrey and Colin Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
