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Missoula Felon Caleb Diamond Gets 33 Months for Stolen Gun
MISSOULA – Caleb Gerard Diamond, 24, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 33 months on May 1st for illegally possessing a loaded and stolen firearm. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced the sentence, which will be followed by three years of supervised release. The case lays bare the revolving door of crime plaguing Montana cities.
Diamond pleaded guilty in December 2023 to the charge of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The charges stemmed from a May 2023 incident where Diamond, already on felony probation for separate crimes, was caught exposing himself in public near a movie theater while two women were leaving. The arrest revealed more than just indecent exposure; Diamond was carrying a loaded .45-caliber handgun and methamphetamine. It wasn’t just the drugs and the public display – the gun had been reported stolen last October from a vehicle just blocks from the scene of his arrest.
Court documents paint a picture of brazen disregard for the law. Twelve days prior to his arrest, Diamond allegedly stole ammunition from a local business, further demonstrating a pattern of criminal behavior. When initially questioned about firearms at his residence, Diamond attempted to mislead investigators, claiming he didn’t own any. He later admitted to recently purchasing a shotgun, which he conveniently gifted to his roommate – a transparent attempt to distance himself from the weapon.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen handed down the sentence, acknowledging the severity of the crime and the defendant’s history. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter spearheaded the prosecution, building a solid case based on evidence gathered by the Missoula Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The collaborative effort highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling violent crime.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. Launched in May 2021, PSN focuses on fostering trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and meticulously measuring results – a much-needed approach in a state grappling with rising crime rates.
Diamond’s sentence sends a clear message: illegally possessing firearms, especially stolen ones, will not be tolerated. While 33 months may seem a short stint for a repeat offender carrying a stolen weapon, it’s a step towards holding individuals accountable and attempting to break the cycle of violence in Missoula.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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