LAUREL, MT – Nicholas Steven Capella, 38, is facing a potential 15-year stretch in federal prison after admitting today he illegally possessed firearms, a haul of 35 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition discovered during a raid on his Laurel, Montana residence. Capella pleaded guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, charges stemming from an August 2022 investigation.
The bust went down after Billings Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit began surveilling Capella’s home. Officers observed Capella and another individual leaving the residence and entering a vehicle. Capella was visibly armed, sporting a pistol holstered on his hip. A traffic stop ensued, and both Capella and his companion were taken into custody after being Mirandized. A subsequent search warrant authorized a thorough sweep of the Laurel property.
Inside, authorities found a disturbing arsenal. According to court documents, Capella willingly opened a gun safe revealing a significant cache of firearms. Law enforcement seized a total of 35 firearms, alongside a substantial quantity of ammunition. The discovery triggered the federal charges because of Capella’s prior felony convictions in Washington state, legally barring him from owning or possessing firearms.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich’s office is prosecuting the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich leading the charge. The investigation was a joint effort between the Billings Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Capella remains detained pending sentencing before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Beyond the potential 15 years behind bars, Capella is also facing a potential $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release if convicted. This case is being highlighted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts and community engagement. The program emphasizes building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategic enforcement.
The sheer volume of firearms seized raises questions about Capella’s intentions, and investigators are likely examining potential connections to other criminal activity. While authorities haven’t released details about the types of firearms recovered, a collection of this size suggests a pattern beyond simple personal ownership. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to keep illegal weapons off the streets and out of the hands of those legally prohibited from possessing them.
Related Federal Cases
- Nicholas Capella, Illegal Firearms Possession, Laurel MT, 2023 · Montana
- Guy George Parenteau, Firearms Burglary, MT, 2013 · Montana
- Mallory Brown Sentenced to Over 9 Years for Illegal Guns · Alabama
- Kerméric Johnson, Firearms Charge, Louisiana 2015 · Illinois
- Brandon Hoskins, Possession of Firearm in Drug Offense, IL 2016 · Illinois
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