Montez Ricardo Holland Sentenced on Federal Firearm Charges

Johnstown, PA — A 54-year-old man with a prior drug trafficking conviction was sentenced to 68 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm, continuing a pattern of violent criminal behavior in Cambria County. Montez Ricardo Holland, a resident of Johnstown, now faces years behind bars after being caught with a loaded 9 mm handgun more than a decade after his disqualifying felony.

On January 4, 2013, authorities discovered Holland in possession of a Sturm, Ruger & Company, Model P95DC, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. Though the weapon was recovered over a year ago, the case has culminated in a stiff federal sentence reflecting zero tolerance for repeat offenders. Federal law strictly prohibits anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment from owning or carrying firearms or ammunition.

Holland’s disqualifying felony dates back to April 27, 1998, when he was convicted in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, on a drug trafficking charge. That conviction stripped him of his right to bear arms — a restriction he knowingly violated for years. Despite the clear legal barrier, Holland retained access to lethal weapons, putting communities at risk and drawing the full weight of federal prosecution.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson handed down the 68-month prison term, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton, who emphasized that Holland’s record made him a prime target for federal intervention. “This is not a first offense. This is a dangerous repeat offender who chose to ignore the law,” Hickton stated.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines, who built a straightforward but damning case using forensic and criminal record evidence. No jury was needed — Holland’s guilt was established through irrefutable documentation of his prior conviction and the firearm seizure.​

Mr. Hickton credited the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force for their relentless work in tracking Holland’s criminal activity. The prosecution was handled under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a high-impact federal initiative targeting gun crime through coordinated local, state, and federal enforcement. The message is clear: illegal gun possession, especially by felons, will be met with maximum penalties.