Michael Blake Defrance, Prohibited Person in Possession, Montana 2018

Michael Blake Defrance, 28, of Missoula, is facing serious charges after being accused of violating federal firearms laws.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Defrance pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on about June 27, 2018 and Oct. 2, 2018 in Missoula, Defrance, knowing he had been convicted on May 6, 2013 of a misdemeanor crime of violence under the laws of the State of Montana, possessed firearms and ammunition in violation of federal law.

Defrance could face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release if convicted of the most serious crime. He was released pending further proceedings.

The investigation into Defrance’s activities was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force and the Missoula Police Department.

Defrance’s case is currently being monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. Those looking to review documents filed in the case can establish a PACER account by visiting http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. The District Court’s calendar can be accessed at https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

Defrance’s arraignment took place before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto in Missoula.

The indictment is merely an accusation, and Defrance is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. PACER case reference is 21-29.

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