MISSOULA — A Butte woman who was pulled over with 27 pounds of methamphetamine in her car was sentenced Wednesday to 11 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

In December 2025, Carol Jane Soza, 61, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Missoula to one count of possession with intent to distribute meth. 

Federal prosecutors alleged that Soza was bringing meth into Montana from a source in Washington and selling it in Butte with the help of a partner.

In January 2025, law enforcement learned from a source who had been buying meth from Soza twice a month that Soza was regularly traveling to Washington to obtain her meth. A month later, law enforcement pulled over Soza and her partner in Rocker.

According to federal prosecutors, inside the vehicle were 10 pounds of meth in the partner’s suitcase and another 17 pounds in a duffle bag in the trunk. Also in the vehicle was Soza’s ledger that reportedly detailed her drug distribution, including an entry that broke down the cost of the meth that specifically noted 20 pounds were paid for and 7 pounds were “fronted.”

A cell phone search turned up messages that indicated the pair worked together to acquire the meth in Washington and distribute it in Butte. Soza was the connection with the Washington supplier, and her partner handled the distribution in Butte.