West Yellowstone man admits possessing unregistered improvised bombs

MISSOULA – A West Yellowstone man today admitted to possessing unregistered improvised bombs after law enforcement found three small devices in his truck last year, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Charles Gibson Bailey, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered explosive devices. Bailey faces a maximum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided and recommended Bailey’s plea be accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, who is hearing the case. Sentencing is set for May 8. Bailey was released.

In court records filed in the case, the prosecution said evidence showed that on Feb. 26, 2019, the West Yellowstone City Court issued a protection order against Bailey. On March 27, 2019, in connection with an investigation into Bailey’s violation of the protection order, law enforcement officers searched Bailey’s truck.

During the search, officers seized three small destructive devices, which were examined by an expert with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The ATF expert concluded the three devices were designed as weapons and were properly identified as improvised explosive devices. Bailey did not register the devices with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the ATF, West Yellowstone Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service.

This case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice initiative launched in the fall of 2019 to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Through Project Guardian, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Montana is working to enhance coordination of its federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. In addition, Project Guardian supports information sharing and taking action when individuals are denied a firearm purchase by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for mental health reasons or because they are a prohibited person.

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