A 31-year-old Helena man faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and up to 40 years, for methamphetamine trafficking in the Helena area between July 2003 and April 2005.

Shawn Weber pleaded guilty last week in federal court in Missoula to conspiracy to distribute meth. He currently is released from jail, with sentencing set for June 8.

According to information from the United States Attorney's office, a man referred to as "O.D." was arrested in 2005 in connection with methamphetamine trafficking in the Helena area between July 2003 and April 2005.

The man told officers that he imported methamphetamine from Washington state to Helena, and that he and Weber distributed at least 50 grams of methamphetamine to another individual who distributed the methamphetamine to others.

Weber allegedly admitted that he and "O.D." delivered about one-quarter ounce of meth to the other individual on at least 12 different occasions. He also admitted he and O.D. had delivered one to three gram quantities of meth to another individual on at least 12 occasions.

Along with the jail term, Weber could be fined up to $2 million.

The investigation was conducted by the Missouri River Drug Task Force.