Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Helena on September 8 2009, before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell, BRANDYN DEAN STANBARY, a 33-year-old resident of Belgrade, pled guilty to willful failure to supply information. Sentencing is set for December 3, 2009.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On August 7, 2008, officers with the Belgrade Police Department were called to STANBARY'S residence to investigate a disturbance call. While there, officers noticed a rifle in STANBARY'S living room that appeared to have a bull barrel. When questioned, STANBARY told the officers that he had made his rifle quiet - meaning silenced.

The officers notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF verified that STANBARY did have a silencer and that STANBARY had not provided ATF with the required information about the silencer.

STANBARY was required by law to notify ATF about the silencer by providing his name, address, and information about the silencer including manufacturer and serial number. STANBARY was also to pay a registration tax for the silencer because the silencer is subject to registration under the National Firearms Act.

STANBARY later admitted that he willfully failed to supply the required information regarding his shortened rifle and silencer to the ATF.

STANBARY faces possible penalties of 1 year in prison, a $25,000 fine and 1 year supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Belgrade Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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