MISSOULA — A Plains man was sentenced to five years in prison for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
The defendant, Zen York Lowther, 36, pleaded guilty in August to possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided over the case.
Law enforcement learned that Lowther was in possession of firearms and controlled substances and was on state parole for felony burglary and theft. Agents arranged for a confidential source to meet with Lowther to purchase firearms. Lowther agreed to sell two pistols and a shotgun on Aug. 2, 2023 in St. Regis. When Lowther arrived, he was taken into custody. In a search of his vehicle, law enforcement located a 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number in a bag along with 9mm ammunition. In addition, there was a 12-gauge shotgun on the center bench seat and $5,257. In a search of Lowther’s residence, agents recovered 19 more firearms and two silencers.
The Plains Police Department, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
On May 26, 2021, the Justice.gov/PSN strategy was launched. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
According to the U.S. Attorney, Lowther was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Related Federal Cases
- Jonathan Paul Schulz, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Montana 2024 · Texas
- Emil Martin Lundstrom, Illegal Firearm Possession, Montana 2025 · Alabama
- Montana Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of Firearm · Texas
- Graham Anthony Bowden, Illicit Firearm Possession, Montana 2025 · Texas
- Caleb Gerard Diamond, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Montana 2024 · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
