Jeffrey Wayne Follet, Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon, Montana 2022

BILLINGS, MT – A chaotic scene during a manhunt for escaped jail inmates led to the arrest and now, the guilty plea of Jeffrey Wayne Follet, 34, of Billings. Follet admitted today to possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon, a charge stemming from a September 2022 incident that unfolded as Billings police searched for two fugitives.

According to court documents, Billings Police Department officers were tracking the escaped inmates from the Yellowstone County Detention Facility when they received a tip placing them at an apartment building on South 27th Street. As officers arrived, a car pulled up to the building, and four individuals exited, two of whom matched the descriptions of the escapees. When police attempted to stop the vehicle, a high-speed chase ensued.

The pursuit ended when officers successfully pinned the car near an intersection. Follet, seated in the rear passenger side, immediately bolted from the vehicle, clutching a loaded 9mm pistol. He was ordered to drop the weapon, which he did behind his back before attempting to flee on foot. Officers quickly apprehended him. The entire incident occurred amidst the ongoing search for the two escaped inmates, adding to the tension and potential danger.

Follet was already under Montana state supervision due to a prior felony conviction, explicitly prohibiting him from possessing firearms. The discovery of the 9mm pistol, coupled with his criminal history, led to federal charges. He now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a minimum of three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided over the guilty plea.

The case was built by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Billings Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas K. Godfrey leading the prosecution. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters after consideration of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Follet remains detained pending sentencing.

Federal officials highlight this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences for those who illegally possess firearms, particularly individuals with prior convictions.

Related Federal Cases