Wayne Jennings Cooper, Illegal Firearm Possession, Montana 2024

Billings Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Firearm Possession

A Billings man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for selling a firearm while on state probation for previous felony convictions, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Wayne Jennings Cooper, 36, pleaded guilty on January 26 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case.

According to court documents, the government alleged that on December 19, 2019, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents learned from a confidential informant that Cooper wanted to sell firearms and drugs. An investigation determined that Cooper had previous felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms and that he was on state probation.

During a controlled purchase set up by the agents, Cooper sold an individual a .380 caliber, semi-automatic pistol along with a loaded magazine. Cooper also provided the individual with what was purported to be five grams of methamphetamine but turned out to be a cutting agent.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Cooper's sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. His crime is a result of selling a firearm while on state probation for previous felony convictions. This case is a prime example of the efforts being made to reduce gun violence and hold individuals accountable for their actions.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney's Office supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/billings-man-sentenced-prison-illegal-firearm-possession