Laurel man pleads guilty to illegal possession of ammunition

BILLINGS - A Laurel man accused of possessing a firearm illegally admitted to charges on Tuesday, January 20, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

The defendant, Kenton Charles Maslen, 64, pleaded guilty to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Maslen faces a term of imprisonment of 15 years, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set for a later date. Maslen was detained further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that on April 19, 2025, law enforcement was asked to assist with the eviction of Maslen from a residence in Laurel, Montana. During the search, law enforcement observed a white crystalline substance on a piece of glass in Maslen’s bedroom. Based on this discovery, law enforcement obtained a search warrant on the same day and discovered the following:

• The search in Maslen’s bedroom yielded a brown leather handgun holster a green ammunition can. The can contained boxes of .22 caliber ammo and 12-gauge shotgun ammunition.
• In the driveway of Maslen’s residence was a fifth-wheel camper Maslen claimed as his own. During the search of the camper, a black 12-gauge shotgun was in a case. The shotgun did not have a serial number, and it appeared that the barrel had been cut short to approximately 16 inches. The case also contained a loaded pistol magazine for a Smith and Wesson pistol, more shotgun ammunition and 9mm ammunition.
• On the floor of the camper was a compartment that agents were able to open. They discovered another firearm, a North American Arms .17 caliber revolver.
• Law enforcement also searched the defendant’s truck and discovered a gun box containing a Ruger “Single Six” .22 caliber revolver.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case.  The ATF, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.

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