Governor Gianforte Cuts Ribbon on FBI Field Office in Billings

Governor's Office

BILLINGS, Mont. - Joining U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, Governor Greg Gianforte today cut the ribbon on the FBI Billings Field Office.

"Now more than ever, Montana needs to do our part to defend our national security and prioritize the safety of our communities," Gov. Gianforte said. "With this new office, the FBI is dedicating more resources than ever before to assess local and regional crime threats and leading investigations right here at home."

Gov. Gianforte speaking during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the FBI Billings Field Office

In September, the FBI announced the opening of the Billings location as the 56th FBI field office located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Before the location in Montana, investigations were previously overseen by the Salt Lake City Field Office.

The FBI Billings office is in addition to eight resident agencies located throughout the state in Bozeman, Glasgow, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Shelby, and Havre. The FBI says the field office will enhance investigations and strengthen the relationships with federal, state, local, and Tribal partners.

During a press conference held at the new office, the governor shared that Montana experiences the second highest rate of violent crime in the northwest region and indicated that murder, child sexual and physical abuse, violent assaults, drug and human trafficking, public corruption, and financial crimes are the most prevalent crimes across the state.

"The work being done in this field office is directly responding to these crimes - prosecuting criminals, combatting fentanyl, and tracking drugs right back to the cartels to put an end to the source," Gov, Gianforte added. "This office unlocks our ability to strengthen our relationships with federal, state, local, and particularly our Tribal partners to address our greatest needs."

Joining the governor for the press conference was FBI National Security Branch Operations Director Michael Glasheen, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, and FBI Billings Field Office Special Agent in Charge Justin Gerkin. Opening the conference, Director Glasheen noted that there has been a 66 percent increase in FBI investigations in Montana over the last five years.

"While today marks a new chapter for the FBI in Montana and for the communities here, it also represents a deepened commitment to our partners. Together, we'll continue to mitigate threats of violence, make our community safer, and pursue justice. The opening of the Billings Field Office marks an exciting milestone for the future of the FBI's efforts in this community, and it honors the rich history of the Bureau's work in Montana," Glasheen said.

"An FBI field office in Montana will be a game changer for public safety," said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. "Drug trafficking organizations continue to push fentanyl, cocaine, and especially methamphetamine into our state causing overdose deaths, causing crime, causing substantial community cost and addiction and leaving that in their wake."

Alme continued, "This field office will directly impact those and other problems. With the field office will eventually come resources and experience that's going to work hand and glove, with the prosecutors in our office, as well as with federal, state, tribal, local law enforcement, and prosecutors across the state."

A video recording of the press conference and ribbon cutting can be viewed here .

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