DOJ CHARGES MORE THAN 14,200 DEFENDANTS WITH FIREARMS-RELATED CRIMES IN FY20
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: October 16, 2020

Montana Charged 170 Cases

BILLINGS – The Department of Justice announced this week it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, including 170 cases in Montana, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.

“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences.  The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”

“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo.  “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions.  ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”

“Keeping Montanans safe from violent crime is even more important since COVID-19 arrived. Domestic violence offenders with access to firearms are much more likely to commit homicide. Keeping guns out of the hands of offenders is critical to reducing violent crimes,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Of the more than 14,200 cases charged, 170 cases have been brought in Montana, U.S. Attorney Alme said.

Recent Montana cases include:

·        Charles Bailey, of West Yellowstone, was sentenced to 48 months in prison in May for possession of an unregistered device. During an investigation into a violation of a protective order, law enforcement found three unregistered improvised bombs in his vehicle.

·        Carlyle Ray Wells, of Great Falls, pleaded guilty in October to theft of a firearm from a federal firearms dealer. Wells was accused of breaking into a Great Falls business and stealing 27 firearms. Wells faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

·        Maxie Arthur, of Anaconda, was sentenced to 48 months in prison in March for possession of an unregistered device. Law enforcement responded to a domestic violence call and found firearms and a homemade bomb.

·        Robert House, of East Helena, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm while being a user of a controlled substance. Police officers responded to a call a man acting erratically and located House. House had a semi-automatic pistol in his backpack and a small amount of methamphetamine. House was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions.

Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime.  It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense.  The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.

For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.

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