The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on May 30, 2012, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, LESLIE ANN ERICKSON, a 29-year-old resident of Billings, pled guilty to possession of stolen firearms and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Sentencing has been set for August 29, 2012. She is currently detained.

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

On the morning of October 13, 2011, Timothy Patrick and ERICKSON were contacted by a law enforcement officer while they were walking along a highway near Red Lodge. This officer was investigating a report of suspicious persons whom he believed was related to a vehicle that fled from police earlier that day. During this contact, Patrick displayed a firearm, was subsequently shot, and died at the scene. During an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, officers recovered a Star Arms, model PD, .45 caliber, semi-automatic pistol from the body of Patrick. Officers later recovered a New England Arms, model Sportster .17 HMR caliber, break-action rifle with the serial number obliterated from the vehicle that had fled from police earlier that day.

ERICKSON was interviewed by various law enforcement officers concerning this shooting and the couples' possession of the vehicle and stolen firearms. During these interviews, ERICKSON admitted that she and Patrick committed a series of burglaries in and around Billings. ERICKSON admitted that on October 11, 2011, she and Patrick burglarized a residence on Walter Hagen Drive in Billings. During this burglary, ERICKSON and Patrick stole five firearms from the residence, including the Star Arms, model PD, .45 caliber, semi-automatic pistol, as well as the other firearms specifically listed in the indictment. Additionally, ERICKSON indicated that on October 12, 2011, she and Patrick burglarized a residence located on Duck Creek Road in Billings. During this burglary they stole the New England Arms, model Sportster, .17 HMR caliber, break-action rifle. According to ERICKSON, the pair obliterated the serial number on this rifle. They then sold some of the stolen firearms, traded some of the other stolen firearms for methamphetamine, and had the two stolen firearms mentioned above in their possession first in the vehicle and then on Patrick's person.

ERICKSON faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 

 

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