The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on November 8, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, KEVIN KENNETH GAETHLE, a 30-year-old resident of Kalispell, appeared for sentencing. GAETHLE was sentenced to a term of:

Prison: 51 months

Special Assessment: $100

Restitution: $4,401

Supervised Release: 3 years

GAETHLE was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to robbery affecting commerce.

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

Bradley Thompson and Steven Acton entered a home in Kalispell to rob a friend, X.X., of guns so they could sell them in Oregon and get money to buy drugs. GAETHLE knew X.X. and knew X.X. had a safe at his house with guns. GAETHLE accompanied them to drive the vehicle. While in the house, both Thompson and Acton had guns and pointed them at X.X.'s 16-year-old daughter who was there and made her take them to the safe. They stole the safe and later removed numerous guns and a small amount of marijuana from it.

Thompson was later stopped and had some of the victim's guns in his car. Acton was stopped and also had some of X.X.'s guns in his car. Upon further investigation, law enforcement became aware that the guns were to be transported to Oregon and sold for money to buy drugs.

Thompson and Acton pled guilty to federal charges.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that GAETHLE will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, GAETHLE does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 

 

Return to Top