Belgrade Felon Sentenced to 2 Years for Illegal Firearm Possession

MISSOULA — In a harsh reminder that violating federal firearm laws comes with severe consequences, 49-year-old Mark John Littlefield of Belgrade was sentenced to two years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm while on state probation.

According to a statement from the Department of Justice, Littlefield pleaded guilty in January to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the case.

The government alleged that Littlefield was convicted of felony driving under the influence in Gallatin County District Court in December 2011, with one of the conditions of his sentence being that he could not own or possess firearms. In 2020, Littlefield was explicitly informed of this prohibition and signed a form affirming his understanding.

Despite this knowledge, Littlefield illegally possessed a firearm for five years, starting with the acquisition of a .357 pistol in 2018. For the entirety of this time, he was on supervision with the Montana Department of Corrections, which only came to an end when probation officers discovered the pistol in his bedroom in June 2023.

When confronted with the discovery, Littlefield allegedly exclaimed, “I’m going federal, I’m going federal.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation, which is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities.

The investigation and subsequent prosecution of Littlefield are a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. As Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Lowney and Zeno B. Baucus pointed out, this case highlights the need for communities to work together to prevent violent crime and gun violence.

The Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy, launched in May 2021, seeks to foster trust and legitimacy in communities, support community-based organizations, set focused enforcement priorities, and measure results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said, “This case is a clear example of the consequences of violating federal firearm laws. We will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and hold accountable those who break the law.”

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