Billings Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Four Firearms

BILLINGS - The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Susan Watters sentenced Todd Thomas Malmstrom, a 53-year-old resident of Billings to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release. 

Malmstrom previously entered a guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm. In February of 2017, Malmstrom was contacted by law enforcement officers after he was found in possession of a stolen vehicle in Billings, Montana.  Malmstrom was carrying a loaded .45 caliber handgun in a holster on his belt at the time of his arrest and he had three additional firearms stored inside the stolen vehicle.

Malmstrom admitted to ATF agents that he had possessed the four firearms and that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior felony conviction. In 2013, Malmstrom was convicted of another federal gun crime – subject of a court order in possession of a firearm. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify those responsible for significant violent crime in Montana.  A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a recently reinvigorated Department of Justice program that has proven to be successful in reducing violent crime.  Today’s sentencing is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.