Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Whitehall Felon Sentenced for Gun Possession
HELENA - The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that 67-year-old William Kent Ross of Whitehall was sentenced to 15 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell presided over the hearing.
In August 2016, Ross possessed six firearms at his Whitehall, Montana residence. Local law enforcement notified ATF of Ross’s firearm possession after their early August encounter at his residence when he refused to provide a DNA sample in compliance with this sex offender registration requirements. The officer noticed two rifles in a gun cabinet with glass doors and the keys dangling from the lock. The officer noticed a second gun cabinet inside the residence. The six firearms included two revolvers (one was loaded), three rifles (one was loaded), and one shotgun. Ross has an extensive criminal history that includes prior sex crimes involving children and absconding from supervision.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette Stewart and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify those responsible for significant violent crime in Montana. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a recently reinvigorated Department of Justice program that has proven to be successful in reducing violent crime. Today’s sentencing is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
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