FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 03, 2008
DUSTIN MASSEY 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 Billings on April 2, 2008, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, DUSTIN MASSEY, a 22-year-old resident of Billings, pled guilty to being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for July 2, 2008. He is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On April 6, 2006, MASSEY was convicted of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.
On September 3, 2007, an officer with the Billings Police Department observed a vehicle in a closed city park and approached it. Inside, he located MASSEY in the driver's seat, along with several juveniles. The officer learned MASSEY was on state probation and asked if he had any weapons. MASSEY stated he had a pistol in his back pocket. The firearm was identified as a Sterling .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol and was loaded with ammunition.
MASSEY faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Zink prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Billings Police Department 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.
