Tommy Plante, Illegal Entry and Firearms Charges, Montana 2024

In a tense encounter, a Canadian national suspected of illegally crossing into Montana near Eureka was arrested after an armed confrontation with a Border Patrol officer, according to the charges filed against him.

Tommy Plante, also known as Joseph Sylvain Tommy Plante, 32, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, appeared in court on April 23, facing charges of illegal entry into the United States and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.

If convicted of the most serious charge, Plante faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

According to the criminal complaint and affidavit, the government alleged that on April 19, the Eureka Montana Border Patrol Station received information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that Plante was possibly in a kayak on Lake Koocanusa and may be attempting to enter the United States.

The next morning, a Border Patrol agent arrived in the area and saw a beached kayak and camp site in Montana, about one-quarter mile south of the border.

The agent approached the subject, later identified as Plante, and identified himself as with the Border Patrol. Plante allegedly grabbed a rifle and refused to put it down, leading to a pursuit through the woods. Multiple agencies joined the search, and Plante was arrested without injury about five and one-half miles from the initial encounter.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided over the hearing and ordered Plante detained pending further proceedings.

The case was investigated by the Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations, FBI, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

PACER case reference: 21-58.

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