MISSOULA, MT – Caleb Gerard Diamond, 24, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 33 months for illegally possessing a stolen handgun while already on probation for other offenses. The sentence, handed down on May 1 by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, includes three years of supervised release following incarceration.
The case unfolded last May when Missoula Police officers arrested Diamond for indecent exposure near a movie theater, observing him as he watched two women leave. The arrest quickly revealed a more serious problem: Diamond was packing a loaded .45-caliber handgun and methamphetamine. Investigators later determined the firearm had been stolen from a vehicle just a few blocks away in October of the previous year.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Court documents show that twelve days prior to the indecent exposure arrest, Diamond had stolen ammunition from a local business. When questioned about other weapons at his residence, Diamond initially claimed ignorance, then admitted to recently purchasing a shotgun – which he conveniently “gave” to his roommate. A clear attempt to conceal the full extent of his arsenal.
Diamond pleaded guilty in December 2023 to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon already on probation for separate crimes, he was legally barred from owning or possessing any firearm. The case was built by the collaborative efforts of the Missoula Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter led the prosecution, emphasizing the danger Diamond posed to the community. “This sentence sends a clear message: illegally possessing firearms, especially stolen ones, will not be tolerated,” a source close to the prosecution stated. The case is being touted as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.
While the Department of Justice highlights PSN’s focus on community trust and violence prevention, the reality on the streets of Missoula – and across the nation – is a constant battle against individuals like Caleb Diamond, who repeatedly disregard the law and endanger public safety. The 33-month sentence offers a temporary reprieve, but the question remains: will it be enough to prevent Diamond from re-offending upon his release?”
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