BILLINGS, MT – Deana Louann Thomas, 42, of Billings, Montana, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to three years and five months for illegal possession of a firearm. The case, brought by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich’s office, stems from a December 2022 bust where Thomas was found not only dealing fentanyl out of a Billings motel room, but also in violation of her parole and, crucially, with a loaded weapon.
According to court documents, law enforcement received a tip regarding Thomas and an accomplice selling fentanyl. A knock on the motel room door led to her arrest on an outstanding warrant for absconding parole from the Montana Department of Corrections. A subsequent search of the room revealed a .38-caliber revolver stashed under a bed, along with two rounds of ammunition on a nightstand. Thomas readily admitted the firearm had been gifted to her “for protection,” a flimsy excuse given her extensive criminal history.
The prosecution successfully argued that Thomas’s 2019 conviction for felony escape in Yellowstone County automatically disqualified her from legally possessing a firearm. This wasn’t a case of a first-time offender making a mistake; it was a convicted felon actively flouting the law while engaged in drug trafficking. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters clearly saw it that way, handing down a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offense.
The investigation was a coordinated effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Probation and Parole, and the U.S. Marshals Service. These agencies worked together to not only apprehend Thomas but to build a solid case demonstrating her disregard for the law. The bust also resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, taking potentially deadly drugs off the streets of Billings.
Federal officials are framing the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence nationwide. PSN emphasizes community partnerships and focused enforcement, a strategy the Department of Justice claims is yielding results. Whether or not PSN truly makes a difference, the outcome for Thomas is clear: she’ll spend the next three years and five months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release.
This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while prohibited is a serious federal offense. For Thomas, it’s a consequence of a pattern of criminal behavior and a willingness to operate outside the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases impacting Montana and beyond, exposing the underbelly of crime and the work of those fighting it.
Related Federal Cases
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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