Matthew Ryan Cubberly, Unregistered Short-Barreled Shotguns Possession, Montana 2023

MISSOULA, Mont. – Matthew Ryan Cubberly, 36, of Kalispell, Montana, is headed to federal prison for five years after pleading guilty to firearms charges, a sentence handed down Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy. The case highlights the continued federal crackdown on individuals illegally possessing weapons, especially those with prior criminal records.

Cubberly admitted to possessing both a prohibited firearm and an unregistered firearm. The bust originated in March 2022 when probation officers, already monitoring Cubberly for a prior felony drug conviction in Flathead County, conducted a routine home visit. What they found wasn’t routine: two heavily modified 12-gauge shotguns stashed next to Cubberly’s bed.

According to court documents, both shotguns had been illegally altered – their stocks were cut off and the barrels shortened to less than 18 inches, rendering them unregistered short-barreled shotguns under federal law. Crucially, neither weapon was registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a clear violation of federal regulations. As a convicted felon, Cubberly was already legally barred from owning any firearms.

The search and subsequent investigation were a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kalispell Police Department, and Montana Probation and Parole. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Lowney led the prosecution, securing the five-year sentence and a subsequent three years of supervised release for Cubberly.

Federal officials framed the case within the context of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts. The program focuses on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention initiatives, and strategically targeting enforcement.

While authorities tout PSN as a success, the Cubberly case demonstrates a persistent pattern of illegal gun possession by individuals with criminal histories. The five-year sentence serves as a warning, but questions remain about the effectiveness of preventative measures and rehabilitation programs in addressing the root causes of gun crime in Montana and beyond. The ATF Denver Field Division oversaw the operation.

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