Five defendants sentenced in Missoula fentanyl trafficking case

MISSOULA – Five defendants involved in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation were sentenced in Missoula for their roles in distributing the drug from Arizona to Montana and other states, according to a release by Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot.

Sadie Cheryl Sawyer, 37, received a four year prison sentence, while Zane Nicholas Schafer, 35, was sentenced on Monday to 3 ½ years.

The following day, Carrie Jean Bishop, 52, Spring Marie Davis, 50, and Diana Michelle Karnes, 43, were also sentenced. Bishop was given nine years, Davis received 2 ½ years and Karnes was sentenced to eight years.

All five pleaded guilty in November 2025 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Karnes also faced charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Court documents revealed that between February 2023 and March 2025, the drug trafficking organization, led by Gerad Nigel Punch, transported fentanyl from Phoenix, Arizona, to Montana for distribution. Punch and his associates mailed and transported the drug to dealers in Texas, Washington and Montana, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.

Sawyer acted as a local distributor in Montana, purchasing large amounts of fentanyl from Punch and other suppliers. Schafer received multiple packages of fentanyl at his residence in Anaconda for local distribution.

Bishop collaborated with Punch to transport and distribute fentanyl in Montana. Davis helped connect co-conspirators in Arizona and Montana, facilitating a sale of over 2,000 grams of fentanyl to an undercover officer. Karnes distributed fentanyl and connected Punch to buyers in Montana.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized over 10 kilograms of fentanyl.

Gerad Punch was sentenced on February 23, 2026, to 20 years in prison. Brooke Cardonia received a nine year sentence on January 28, 2026.

Co-defendants Shawn Michael Scholler and Adam Joseph Sarvis are set to plead guilty this week, while D’Andre Dontae Glass, Dwayne Nyron Punch, Freddie Lee Carter, and Bernard Cowley Glass Jr. will be sentenced in June and July.