Fairview Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

PORTLAND, Ore. — A 41-year-old Fairview man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, federal prosecutors announced.

Matthew Moultrie was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. The case was investigated as part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative.

According to court documents, the investigation began when Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents observed a courier associated with a Mexican drug trafficking organization enter Moultrie’s vehicle during what appeared to be a drug transaction.

Agents stopped and searched Moultrie’s vehicle and reportedly found approximately 220 grams of fentanyl, 65 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm.

In a later incident, DEA agents and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputies located Moultrie as he exited a motel room. According to court documents, Moultrie admitted possessing a handgun and approximately half a pound of methamphetamine.

A search of the motel room uncovered 386 grams of methamphetamine, five grams of fentanyl and two firearms, prosecutors said.

Moultrie has a significant criminal history that includes drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Because of that history, he was classified as a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines.

Moultrie pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Jan. 7, 2026.

“Removing drugs and guns from our streets is vital to protecting Oregon’s communities,” U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said. “When offenders repeatedly threaten public safety, we have a duty to hold them accountable.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Saccone of the Seattle Field Division said Moultrie trafficked drugs while armed despite his previous drug conviction and encounters with law enforcement.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis S. Burkhart prosecuted the case.

The Homeland Security Task Force is a multi-agency federal initiative focused on investigating and prosecuting crimes involving criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling and trafficking networks.

HSTF Portland includes personnel from multiple federal, state and local agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard and Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Program.

The case also involved the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, which coordinates and provides resources for multi-agency drug enforcement efforts.