Billings Man Facing Up To 10 Years In Prison For Silencer

From the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana:

Announced today, a Billings Man admitted to a firearms crime after law enforcement located a silencer, along with 14 firearms, in his residence while conducting an investigation.

William Henry Alberts, 66, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm. Alberts is facing a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors... with sentencing set for August 14th, 2024. Alberts was released from custody pending further proceedings.

According to the court:

Allegedly, on April 25th, 2023, Alberts and another man were on a motorcycle when they were pulled over for a traffic stop. The other person had abandoned a stolen four-wheeler and was taken into custody. Alberts was allowed to walk back to his property.

Meanwhile, law enforcement secured Alberts' property, believing that a federal fugitive was living on the property. When Alberts arrived home, he gave law enforcement permission to search the home for the fugitive.

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During the search, law enforcement saw a shotgun in plain view. Alberts admitted he was convicted of a drug felony in 1992, and admitted that there were at least 10 firearms in the house.

Officers executed a search warrant and found 14 firearms, methamphetamine, and assorted ammunition. Officers also located a black suppressor/silencer. The silencer was not registered as required by law, so the possession violated federal firearms laws.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. The ATF and Billings PD conducted the investigation.