HELENA, MT – A brazen disregard for the law landed Joshua Nzeyimana, 23, of Helena, in federal court today. Nzeyimana admitted to illegally possessing a loaded AR-15 style rifle found in his vehicle parked on the grounds of the Montana State Capitol. The loaded weapon was discovered during a routine probation search, revealing a dangerous situation just steps from the seat of state government.
According to court documents, Nzeyimana, already a convicted felon, was listed as an absconder on Montana’s Conweb database when the search took place on December 3, 2023. He’d previously been convicted in state district court of felony criminal endangerment and felony assault with a weapon, automatically disqualifying him from owning any firearms. Yet, he’d obtained an AR-15 anyway, admitting to investigators he used another person as a straw purchaser to circumvent the law.
The 23-year-old didn’t just stash the weapon; he’d already fired a single round from it in an open field near a park, a chilling detail uncovered by investigators. Nzeyimana knowingly violated federal law, putting the public – and potentially lawmakers – at risk. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Probation and Parole, worked together to bring the case to light.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced the guilty plea, stating Nzeyimana faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a hefty $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris will ultimately determine the sentence, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors. Nzeyimana remains in custody pending that decision, with sentencing scheduled for August 1st.
This case is being touted as a victory for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. But for those watching the daily grind of crime in Montana, it’s a stark reminder of the constant battle to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. The program, launched in 2021, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, and prioritizing strategic enforcement.
The feds are hoping this conviction sends a message. But on the streets of Helena, and across Montana, the question remains: how many more illegally obtained weapons are out there, waiting to turn a bad situation deadly? The investigation is closed, the plea is entered, but the underlying problem of gun violence persists, a shadow hanging over the state capitol and beyond.
Related Federal Cases
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons