Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on September 23, 2009, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, BRANDON LAWRENCE, a 22-year-old resident of Billings, pled guilty to being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for December 29, 2009. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Zink, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

An investigation by the Billings Police Department revealed that shortly before 2:00 a.m. on March 8, 2009, LAWRENCE pulled a handgun and fired a single shot at a male individual during a fight outside a bar in Billings. Numerous witnesses observed the incident and identified LAWRENCE as the shooter when police arrived.

While placing LAWRENCE under arrest, officers recovered a Glock model 22 .40 caliber pistol in his waistband.

When questioned, LAWRENCE stated he had bought the gun on the street two to three months before. He said he fired the shot at an unknown black male who punched him in the fight. The firearm had been reported stolen on March 2, 2009.

LAWRENCE had previously been convicted of felony robbery in the State of California and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

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

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Billings Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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

 

 

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