GREAT FALLS — In a harrowing turn of events, Jarred Lane Saunders, 25, from Reed Point, Montana, has pleaded guilty to possession of stolen firearms and fentanyl. The charges stem from an October 2022 incident where Saunders was caught with a cache of stolen guns and illegal drugs following a high-speed chase.
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According to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, Saunders faces a daunting sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and several years of supervised release. The case has been presided over by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris, with sentencing scheduled for October 2nd.
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The crime spree began when police in Billings discovered that 23 firearms had been stolen from a vehicle parked at a local hotel. Saunders was fingered as the culprit due to his fingerprints at the scene. He then reportedly transported the stolen goods, including fentanyl, in a stolen Mercedes-Benz to Helena, where the pursuit and subsequent crash occurred.
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Upon arrest, Saunders confessed to ingesting 15 to 20 fentanyl pills. A search warrant executed on the Mercedes revealed an additional 300 fentanyl pills, a small amount of methamphetamine, and a .22-caliber pistol that had been stolen in Billings. Witnesses had previously reported seeing Saunders with three duffle bags filled with guns.
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Investigating agencies include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Billings Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Helena Police Department. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence.
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Project Safe Neighborhoods, launched in May 2021, focuses on fostering community trust, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results. For more information about PSN, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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