LODGE GRASS, MT – Paul Nomee III, 61, is headed to federal prison for two and a half years after admitting he illegally possessed a loaded handgun while already a convicted felon. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, also includes three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
The case unfolded on January 11th when Bureau of Indian Affairs officers responded to a single-vehicle crash near Crow Agency, on the Crow Indian Reservation. Officers discovered a heavily damaged vehicle matching the description of the reported accident. Behind the wheel was Nomee, the sole occupant. He was quickly identified as having outstanding tribal warrants.
During the arrest, Nomee freely admitted to carrying a pistol in a shoulder holster. A search confirmed his claim – a loaded firearm was recovered. But Nomee wasn’t simply exercising his Second Amendment rights. He had two prior felony convictions on his record, legally barring him from owning or possessing any firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek led the prosecution, presenting the evidence that secured the guilty plea in August. The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), demonstrating a coordinated push to address firearms violations on tribal lands.
Nomee’s case is another in a steady stream of federal prosecutions aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of individuals legally prohibited from possessing them. While the Crow Reservation faces numerous challenges, federal agents are working to stem the flow of illegal weapons that exacerbate existing problems.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, led by Jesse Laslovich, continues to prioritize cases involving violent crime and firearms offenses. This sentence sends a clear message: those who illegally possess firearms will be held accountable under federal law, regardless of location. The case was investigated by the Denver Field Division of the ATF.
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