FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
PETER BERNARD JOHNSTON PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Missoula on October 29, 2007, before Chief U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, PETER BERNARD JOHNSTON, a 19-year-old resident of Bozeman, pled guilty to being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for February 14, 2008. He is currently released on special conditions.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have On December 3, 2006, JOHNSTON was found to be in possession of a stolen Springfield 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Bozeman. The pistol was discovered by officers with the Missouri River Drug Task Force while conducting a pre-buy search of JOHNSTON'S vehicle. The officers also recovered a bag of marijuana and a pipe with marijuana residue on JOHNSTON'S person.
On May 8, 2007, JOHNSTON was interviewed and admitted to possessing the stolen 9mm semi-automatic pistol. He stated that the person who stole the firearm took it from a Bozeman sporting goods store. JOHNSTON also admitted that this person had advised him that the firearm had been stolen. JOHNSTON admitted paying $200 for the pistol. JOHNSTON stated that he placed the firearm in his truck under the driver's seat where it was located by the officers. JOHNSTON further admitted to smoking marijuana for at least the year prior to the pistol's recovery and that he smoked one or two bowls per week.
JOHNSTON faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
