Bozeman man sentenced to 2 years in prison for unlawfully possessing firearm (DOJ)

MISSOULA - A Bozeman man who was unlawfully carrying a firearm during a traffic stop was sentenced today to two years and four months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Scott Twito said.

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

Kelly Johnson, 52, pleaded guilty in May 2026 to unlawfully possessing a firearm.

The government alleged in court documents that Johnson was pulled over in Gallatin County in May 2025 on suspicion of driving under the influence. When law enforcement approached, Johnson told them he had a loaded Glock 17 in the vehicle. Johnson was convicted of felonies in 2005 and 2014 while living in Oregon and is thus prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case. The ATF conducted the investigation.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.