Charles Gibson Bailey, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Montana 2022

MISSOULA  — In a shocking turn of events, a West Yellowstone man has been sentenced to three years in prison for illegally possessing ammunition. Charles Gibson Bailey, 36, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to the felony charge of felon in possession of ammunition, a crime that is sure to send shockwaves through the community.

According to court documents, Bailey was previously convicted of possessing unregistered improvised bombs in May 2020. He was sentenced to 40 months in prison and was placed on supervised release. However, his behavior soon raised red flags, and in February 2022, the probation office filed a petition to revoke his supervised release after two encounters between Bailey and a West Yellowstone Police officer.

The court revoked Bailey’s supervised release and sentenced him to three months in custody. During this time, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated Bailey and executed a search warrant on his residence and vehicle in April 2022. Agents seized 14 .40-caliber bullets from Bailey’s truck, and the headstamps on the bullets were obliterated.

Bailey’s case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the country. The program brings together all levels of law enforcement and community organizations to prevent violence and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Bailey will serve three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of breaking the law and highlights the importance of community-based programs like PSN in preventing crime and keeping our communities safe.

The case was investigated by the ATF, the West Yellowstone Police Department, and the Federal Protective Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy J. Racicot and Ryan G. Weldon.

Bailey’s sentence is a significant blow to those who would seek to undermine the safety and security of our communities. It serves as a warning to anyone who would engage in similar behavior and highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and the community in preventing crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/west-yellowstone-man-sentenced-three-years-prison-illegal-possession-ammunition