MISSOULA – A Butte woman who was pulled over with 27 pounds of meth in her car was sentenced today to 11 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.Carol Jane Soza, 61, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Dana L.
Christensen presided.The government alleged in court documents that Soza was bringing methamphetamine 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 methamphetamine. A month later, law enforcement pulled over Soza and her partner in Rocker. Investigators found 10 pounds of meth in her partner’s suitcase and another 17 pounds in a duffle bag in the trunk. Also in the vehicle was Soza’s ledger that 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.