Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on January 27, 2009, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, JASON LEE FISHER, a 41-year-old resident of Lame Deer, pled guilty to possession of a firearm by an individual previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Sentencing is set for April 29, 2009. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On December 5, 2005, FISHER was convicted of a partner family member assault in Rosebud County.

On January 15, 2007, the FISHER'S ex-wife reported that a firearm was missing from her home. She further reported that FISHER was not allowed to possess firearms due to a domestic violence conviction. She had been out of town on business and FISHER had stayed at her house during her absence to care for their children. When she returned home and noticed the firearm, a Ruger Model M77 II, .26-06 caliber rifle, missing, she asked her daughter where the firearm was and was told that FISHER had taken it.

FISHER faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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