A Traffic Dispute in Billings Led to a Federal Prison Sentence

A traffic confrontation in Billings that escalated into allegations of a man pulling a gun on another driver has now resulted in federal prison time.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot, 41-year-old Matthew David Slemmer was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after illegally possessing a firearm.

The Incident Began With a 911 Call

Court documents say the case stemmed from an incident on January 17, 2025, when someone called 911 claiming Slemmer had pulled a gun during a confrontation in traffic.

The caller told authorities that after the exchange on the road, Slemmer drove into a parking lot, allegedly displayed a firearm, and then left the area before police arrived.

Not long after officers got to the scene, prosecutors say Slemmer returned to the parking lot.

Slemmer Had a Gun in His Vehicle

According to court records, Slemmer denied brandishing a weapon but admitted there was a firearm inside his vehicle.

After speaking further with law enforcement, he consented to a search of the car. Officers reportedly located a Hi-Point Firearms Model C9 9mm semi-automatic pistol exactly where Slemmer said it would be.

Protection Order Barred Him From Firearms

Federal prosecutors said Slemmer was legally prohibited from possessing firearms because of a permanent order of protection that had been issued less than a year earlier.

Court documents show a hearing related to a temporary order of protection took place on March 5, 2024, with Slemmer present. A second hearing was later held on April 1, 2024, when the order became permanent.

The order prohibited Slemmer from threatening or committing acts of violence and barred him from harassing or contacting the petitioner, who prosecutors said shared a child and an ongoing intimate relationship with him.

The protection order also specifically prohibited him from possessing firearms.

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Slemmer Pleaded Guilty Last Fall

Slemmer pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Billings Police Department.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case.