Former Glendive Resident Sentenced to Over Two Years for Firearms Offense

BILLINGS - The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that Frank Banks was sentenced to 30 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment.  U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the hearing.   

Banks previously entered a plea of guilty to a two-count indictment charging him being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  On November 23, 2015, law enforcement was notified that Banks was standing outside the Manor Apartments in Glendive and he was holding a gun.  During a December 2015 search of Banks’ apartment law enforcement found a Hi-Point, model C9, 9mm Luger semi-automatic pistol in his bedroom.  Officers also found a box of 9mm ammunition inside the apartment and six rounds of ammunition in Banks’ pocket.  Banks is prohibited from possessing a firearm from a previous felony conviction from the state of Washington. 

In a sentencing memorandum filed in federal court, federal prosecutors noted, “Banks has been involved in the criminal justice system since the age of 18; he is now 59 years old.  Banks has a lengthy criminal history, with a number of violent offenses.”  In arguing for a sentence to promote a respect for the law and provide adequate deterrence, it continued, “The government has a strong interest in protecting the public and restricting improper access to firearms.”  In a letter filed with the district court, Banks acknowledged that he “became guilty of these charges weeks before that incident” and that he was guilty as soon the gun was “brought into our home.”

The Banks case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in conjunction with Glendive Police Department and other federal, state, and local agencies. 

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.