GREAT FALLS, MT – Franklin Troy Caplette, 40, of Box Elder, Montana, is headed back to federal prison after receiving a 32-month sentence for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced the sentencing yesterday, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. This isn’t Caplette’s first rodeo with the law – far from it.
Caplette pleaded guilty in March 2025 to the charge of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The bust went down October 12, 2024, when officers moved to arrest Caplette for violating the terms of his already lengthy supervised release. According to court documents, Caplette wasn’t keen on cooperating, attempting to flee before being subdued by a responding officer who deployed a taser – twice – to secure the arrest. During the apprehension, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol was found tucked into a chest holster.
This latest conviction is just a chapter in a long and troubling criminal history. Back in June 2013, Caplette received a 62-month federal sentence, followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. That supervised release? Revoked a staggering five times. The cycle continued. In February 2021, he was handed another 42-month federal prison term, again with three years of supervised release, for – you guessed it – possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Apparently, court-ordered oversight wasn’t enough to keep him on the straight and narrow.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris handed down the sentence, clearly signaling that repeated offenses, especially involving firearms and narcotics, will not be tolerated. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with a multi-agency investigation spearheaded by the ATF, Hill County Sheriff’s Office, Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services, and the U.S. Probation Office. These agencies worked together to build a solid case against Caplette, demonstrating a coordinated effort to remove dangerous individuals from the community.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. Launched in 2021, the program emphasizes building trust, supporting community organizations, and focusing enforcement efforts where they’re needed most. The Department of Justice hopes this approach will create safer neighborhoods for everyone. More information on PSN can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
Caplette’s history paints a picture of a man entrenched in a cycle of crime and re-offense. While 32 months may seem like a significant sentence, it remains to be seen if it will finally break that pattern. With a history of violating supervised release, the question is not just whether Caplette will re-offend, but when. The community, and the courts, will be watching.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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