Gentry Dean Blackburn, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Wyoming 2024

RIVERTON, WY – Gentry Dean Blackburn, 31, is headed to federal prison for over four years after Riverton Police caught him walking around with a loaded 9mm pistol despite a previous felony conviction. Blackburn was sentenced on February 20th by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson in Cheyenne to 53 months’ imprisonment.

The trouble started July 9th, 2023, when Riverton PD responded to reports of gunfire near Riverton City Park. Witnesses described a man firing a gun into the air, and officers quickly zeroed in on Blackburn, who matched the description. A search revealed a Hi Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol, neatly wrapped in a bandana, in his possession. Two spent 9mm cartridge casings were also recovered near where witnesses had seen the shooting.

Blackburn’s prior criminal history made the gun possession illegal. As a convicted felon, he’s legally barred from owning or possessing any firearm. The Riverton Police Department quickly turned the case over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for federal prosecution. Blackburn eventually entered a guilty plea, accepting responsibility for the violation.

“This case demonstrates the commitment of both local and federal law enforcement to keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are legally prohibited from possessing them,” a source within the ATF’s Denver Field Division told Grimy Times. “It’s a simple equation: convicted felons with guns equal increased risk to the community.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist handled the prosecution, securing the 53-month sentence for Blackburn. The case was a joint effort between the Riverton Police Department and the ATF, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling firearms offenses. Blackburn will serve his sentence in a federal correctional facility.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming, led by U.S. Attorney Nicholas Vassallo, continues to prioritize cases involving illegal firearms possession. This conviction sends a clear message: those who violate federal gun laws will be aggressively prosecuted. Details of the case can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-wy.

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