Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MISSOULA — A Kalispell man was sentenced today to two years and four months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on a firearm conviction after admitting he possessed a loaded, sawed-off rifle that had an obliterated serial number, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Zachary Jon Lindsay, 39, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to possession of an unregistered firearm.  

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that in February 2021, Kalispell Police responded to a report of a shoplifter leaving Sportsman & Ski Haus. The officer located the suspect vehicle driven by Lindsay, the sole occupant. A pursuit ensued and ended when Lindsay came to a dead end and fled on foot. The officer caught and arrested Lindsay. During a search of Lindsay, the officer found .22-caliber ammunition and a loaded .22-caliber magazine. When asked if he had any guns on him, Lindsay responded that there was one in the vehicle. A search warrant was served on the vehicle and officers located a loaded, Ruger .22-caliber rifle with a scope, custom pistol grip stock, sawed-off barrel and obliterated serial number. The firearm was under a stolen fly rod. Officers also found several spend .22-caliber casings throughout the car.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kalispell Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

XXX