MISSOULA – A Billings man was sentenced to prison for illegally possessing firearms after being convicted of a felony.
Michael Russell Torres, 30, pleaded guilty in April to two counts of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The crime was discovered in March 2021, when Missoula Police officers responded to a citizen’s complaint and found Torres outside of a vehicle. Torres told officers he had a firearm on him. When officers placed Torres in handcuffs, a loaded, 9mm caliber pistol that had been under his shoulder fell to the ground.
About a year later, law enforcement officers served an arrest warrant on Torres in Billings and found a .40 caliber pistol in his front waistband during a search.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided over the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Missoula Police Department, and Billings Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in the community.
As a result of his guilty plea, Torres was sentenced to 2 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
The case highlights the importance of community-based organizations in preventing violence and gun-related crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- James Billings, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Montana 2022 · Montana
- Butte Felon, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Montana 2024 · Texas
- Drew Parker Seymour, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Billings MT, 2022 · Texas
- Michael J. Ackerman, Triple Homicide, Montana 2025 · Texas
- Justin Miles Jasper, Stolen Vehicle and Explosives Possession, Seat… · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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