A third man accused of involvement in a drug-trafficking ring in Billings appeared in federal court Thursday.
Dejon Anthony Duncan, 21 of Billings, pleaded not guilty to four counts of a 25-count indictment for distribution of ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a gun in a drug-trafficking crime.
He is in Yellowstone County jail.
Duncan was arrested following an investigation into a sex-trafficking ring, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. Two other co-defendants, William Maurice Newkirk, 39, and Djavon Lamont King, 29, pleaded not guilty to multiple counts related to sex and drug trafficking and weapons possession last week.
Duncan faces a minimum mandatory of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release if convicted of the most serious crime.
An indictment alleges that from about 2018 through 2019, Newkirk and King became involved in commercial sex in Billings. Prosecutors say that Duncan and another man, Mario Juan Drake, were involved in the drug-trafficking operation.
Drake is scheduled for arraignment March 31.
