Jeremy John Walston, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Montana 2021

State: Montana
Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/conrad-felon-sentenced-21-months-prison-illegal-possession-firearms" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A Conrad man, Jeremy John Walston, 36, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for illegally possessing three firearms within one month of being on state probation for a felony conviction, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

On July 6, 2020, Walston was convicted of a state felony drug crime and sentenced. However, his troubles didn’t end there. Within a month of starting Montana state probation, Walston possessed three firearms, including an AR-15 style rifle with a high-capacity magazine, a shotgun and a pistol, along with more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

Walston also admitted to having sold a second AR-15 rifle shortly before his arrest. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case.

The government alleged in court documents that Walston knew he was not allowed to possess these firearms, but he still chose to do so. Walston stated that he knew he could not have the firearms during the home check conducted by his probation officers on Aug. 6, 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. initiative to reduce violent crime. This case focuses on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

Walston pleaded guilty in November 2021 to felon in possession of a firearm. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case.

Jeremy John Walston, a 36-year-old Conrad man, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. This case highlights the importance of adhering to the terms of one’s probation and the consequences of violating those terms.

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