Caleb Gerard Diamond, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Montana 2024

MISSOULA, MT – Caleb Gerard Diamond, 24, of Missoula, is headed to federal prison after a judge handed down a 33-month sentence for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The sentence, delivered May 1st by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, will be followed by three years of supervised release. Diamond’s troubles began last May when he was arrested for indecent exposure while allegedly watching two women leave a movie theater.

But the exposure wasn’t the extent of the problem. Cops found Diamond packing a loaded .45-caliber handgun and methamphetamine at the scene. The gun, it turned out, had been stolen from a vehicle just a few blocks away last October. Adding to his legal woes, investigators discovered Diamond had pilfered ammunition from a local business a mere twelve days before the indecent exposure incident. When questioned, Diamond initially denied owning any firearms, then admitted to recently purchasing a shotgun which he’d given to a roommate.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter, built a solid case against Diamond, highlighting his existing felony probation for two separate prior crimes. The investigation was a joint effort between the Missoula Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF’s involvement underscores the federal focus on curbing gun violence, especially among those already barred from possessing weapons.

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, speaking on the sentence, framed the case as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative. PSN aims to unite law enforcement at all levels with local communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The program, revamped in 2021, prioritizes building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention programs, and focusing enforcement efforts where they’re needed most.

Diamond’s case is a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while already a convicted felon carries severe consequences. The stolen weapon and prior criminal history undoubtedly contributed to the length of the sentence. The 33-month prison term sends a message that illegally possessing firearms will not be tolerated in Montana.

The Department of Justice’s Public Affairs Office, through Clair J. Howard, handled media inquiries regarding the case. Howard can be reached at 406-247-4623 or Clair.Howard@usdoj.gov. The investigation was spearheaded by the Denver Field Division of the ATF, highlighting the agency’s wide-reaching efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking and related crimes.

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