James Faddis Kennedy, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Montana 2023

RED LODGE & BILLINGS, MT – A 73-year-old Red Lodge man and a 35-year-old Billings resident are facing federal firearms charges following recent arraignments in Billings. The cases, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), highlight a persistent flow of illegal weapons within the state.

James Faddis Kennedy, 73, of Red Lodge, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan on April 25th and pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of an unregistered firearm and illegal possession of a machine gun. Kennedy’s alleged stash raises questions about the source of these weapons and potential ties to larger criminal networks. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kennedy faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He was released pending further court proceedings.

Just a day later, on April 26th, Nathaniel James Jansen, 35, of Billings, also appeared before Judge Cavan. Jansen is accused of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number – a common tactic used to conceal the weapon’s history. This suggests an attempt to avoid detection, potentially indicating involvement in previous criminal activity. If convicted, Jansen faces a potential 15-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Unlike Kennedy, Jansen was detained pending further proceedings, deemed a flight risk or danger to the community.

The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office assisted the ATF in the Jansen investigation, demonstrating a collaborative effort between federal and local law enforcement. While details regarding the initial discovery of the weapons remain scarce, these arrests signal an ongoing crackdown on illegal firearms trafficking in Montana. The deliberate obscuring of the serial number on Jansen’s firearm is particularly concerning, indicating a clear intent to evade the law.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, led by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, is prosecuting both cases. The charging documents emphasize that these are merely accusations, and both Kennedy and Jansen are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the charges themselves paint a grim picture of illegal gun ownership in the state.

Members of the public can monitor the progress of these cases through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. Interested parties can establish a PACER account at http://www.pacer.gov/register.html and access the District Court’s calendar at https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl. The Grimy Times will continue to follow these cases and report on any further developments.

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