William Henry Alberts, Silencer Possession, Montana 2024

BILLINGS, MT – William Henry Alberts, 66, of Billings, Montana, has confessed to illegally possessing a silencer, a revelation stemming from a traffic stop and subsequent search of his property last year. The bust uncovered not just the unregistered device, but a small armory of 14 firearms, raising questions about Alberts’ intentions and a past that caught up with him.

The case began unraveling on April 25, 2023, when Alberts and another individual were stopped by law enforcement. The other man fled, abandoning a stolen four-wheeler, and was quickly apprehended. Alberts was allowed to return to his residence, but authorities, suspecting a federal fugitive was residing on the property, secured the area and obtained consent to search. It didn’t take long to find trouble. A shotgun was immediately visible upon entering the home, prompting Alberts to admit to a prior 1992 felony drug conviction – a fact that already put him in a precarious legal position.

That initial discovery led to a full-scale search warrant execution. Officers didn’t just find the shotgun; they unearthed a total of 14 firearms, a quantity of methamphetamine, and a substantial amount of ammunition. But the real kicker was a black suppressor, commonly known as a silencer. Crucially, this device was never registered with the federal government, making its possession a clear violation of federal firearms laws. Alberts, it appears, wasn’t just collecting guns; he was skirting the law while doing it.

According to court documents, Alberts willingly granted permission for the search, seemingly unaware of the depth of the legal trouble he was inviting. While he cooperated with authorities, his past and the illegal items found on his property painted a damning picture. The ATF, along with the Billings Police Department, spearheaded the investigation, building a case that ultimately led to Alberts’ guilty plea.

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, Alberts pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. He now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a hefty $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following incarceration. Sentencing is scheduled for August 14, and Alberts remains free pending further court proceedings.

This case is being touted as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. But for residents of Billings, it’s a stark reminder that illegal weapons and drug activity continue to plague communities, and that even a seemingly quiet neighbor can be harboring dangerous secrets. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, hoping to send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

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