Cody Lawrence Big Hair, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, Montana 2022

BILLINGS, MT – Cody Lawrence Big Hair, 32, of Billings, is headed to federal prison after admitting to illegally possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction. Big Hair was sentenced today to 37 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The case unfolded in the early hours of April 23, 2022, when a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer discovered Big Hair’s pickup truck stalled in the middle of a road near Hardin, in Big Horn County. A routine wellness check quickly turned disturbing. Big Hair, initially providing a false name, confessed to both drinking and drug use. More chillingly, he admitted to “trying to kill somebody.”

A search of the vehicle revealed more than just intoxication. Officers recovered a .22-caliber bolt-action rifle, three knives, and a pair of brass knuckles. The discovery was particularly damning given Big Hair’s 2021 felony conviction in Big Horn County, which legally barred him from owning or possessing any firearms.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters delivered the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Hargrove led the prosecution, building the case on evidence gathered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The investigation underscores the ATF’s focus on removing illegally held weapons from the hands of convicted felons.

Federal officials framed the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The Department of Justice launched a renewed emphasis on PSN in 2021, prioritizing trust-building, community support, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.

The 37-month sentence sends a clear message: illegally possessing a firearm after a felony conviction will not be tolerated in Montana. Big Hair’s case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal agencies to combat gun violence and keep communities safe, even in remote areas like Big Horn County. The Denver Field Division of the ATF played a key role in the investigation.

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