BILLINGS - A Laurel man accused of possessing a firearm illegally admitted to charges on Tuesday, January 20, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.The defendant, Kenton Charles Maslen, 64, pleaded guilty to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Maslen faces a term of imprisonment of 15 years, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.U.S. District Judge William W.
Mercer presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set for a later date. Maslen was detained further proceedings.The government alleged in court documents that on April 19, 2025, law enforcement was asked to assist with the eviction of Maslen from a residence in Laurel, Montana.
During the search, law enforcement observed a white crystalline substance on a piece of glass in Maslen’s bedroom. Based on this discovery, law enforcement obtained a search warrant on the same day and discovered the following:The search in Maslen’s bedroom yielded a brown leather handgun holster a green ammunition can. The can contained boxes of .22 caliber ammo and 12-gauge shotgun ammunition.In the driveway of Maslen’s residence was a fifth-wheel camper Maslen claimed as his own. During the search of the camper, a black 12-gauge shotgun was in a case.
The shotgun did not have a serial number, and it appeared that the barrel had been cut short to approximately 16 inches. The case also contained a loaded pistol magazine for a Smith and Wesson pistol, more shotgun ammunition and 9mm ammunition.On the floor of the camper was a compartment that agents were able to open. They discovered another firearm, a North American Arms .17 caliber revolver.Law enforcement also searched the defendant’s truck and discovered a gun box containing a Ruger “Single Six” .22 caliber revolver.Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case.
The ATF, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.XXX