FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 18, 2008
ROBERT MORRISON 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 17, 2008, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, ROBERT MORRISON, age 35, pled guilty to possession of a destructive device (a homemade pipe bomb) which was not registered in the national firearms registration and transfer record. Sentencing is set for July 23, 2008. He is currently released on special conditions.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
A Montana Highway Patrol trooper stopped MORRISON on I-90 for a traffic violation. During the stop, both MORRISON, who was the driver, and his female passenger, appeared extremely nervous. The female was arrested on an outstanding warrant. The trooper observed discrepancies on the registration tag and began speaking to MORRISON about it. At this time, MORRISON said he had a gun with him. The trooper secured the gun. Later investigation determined MORRISON had stolen this firearm from his parents' gun safe. The firearm was identified as a Taurus PT 92 AF. Because both MORRISON and the female passenger showed signs of being under the influence of drugs, a Billings Police officer deployed his drug-detecting canine around the car. The dog indicated for the presence of drugs. Detectives impounded the car and obtained a search warrant. During the search of the vehicle, detectives located an improvised explosive device, namely a homemade pipe bomb. The pipe bomb was made from a Pringles canister and contained gunpowder, BB shrapnel and firecrackers. MORRISON told agents that he made the pipe bomb with the intention of using it to frighten people who ripped him off during drug deals.
The ATF Explosive Technology Branch examined the pipe bomb and determined it met the definition of a destructive device. Agents checked the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record and determined the device was unregistered.
MORRISON faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 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 Montana Highway Patrol, 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.
