Billings Man Sentenced for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

BILLINGS—Jason Bradley Mize, a 37-year old resident of Billings, was sentenced today to 27 months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  United States District Judge Susan Watters presided over the hearing.

On August 25, 2016, Mize was pulled over for speeding by a Billings Police Department officer.  Mize initially provided the officer a false name and date of birth and was arrested after the officer discovered that Mize was lying about his identity and that his driver’s license was revoked.  A drug-detecting K-9 later alerted on Mize’s vehicle, so officers impounded it and applied for a search warrant.  During the execution of that warrant, officers found a Kimber 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the center console along with Mize’s Montana identification card.  During an in-custody interview with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Mize admitted to being in possession of the firearm.  Mize is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law by virtue of several felony convictions.

Judge Watters sentenced Mize t0 27 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.  Because there is no parole in the federal system, Mize will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court, less any good time received, which will not exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.

The case was investigated by the Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sullivan.

 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.