Billings, Montana – A Billings man who was legally barred from having firearms is now facing years behind bars after a series of threats and weapons violations led to federal charges. Authorities confirmed that Andre Lamar Alexander, 19, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot.
Alexander had previously pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. His status as a prohibited person stemmed from an earlier conviction for felony escape in Montana’s Thirteenth Judicial District Court in April 2025. Despite that restriction, prosecutors said he still obtained and carried multiple firearms.
Threats and confrontation lead to arrest
Court documents outline a troubling incident that took place on August 3, 2025, when law enforcement responded to a residence in Billings after receiving a report of a threat involving a firearm. Officers were told that a male suspect had threatened to shoot a teenage girl, identified as Jane Doe.
According to investigators, the situation began when Alexander contacted the victim and demanded that she return some of his belongings. When she arrived at her residence, she noticed Alexander sitting in a nearby vehicle. The encounter quickly escalated.
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Authorities said Alexander exited the vehicle holding a pistol and made direct threats toward the victim. During the confrontation, he told her, “You’re so lucky I don’t just shoot you up right now” and “If the cops get involved it’s going to be way worse.” The victim later showed officers messages that Alexander had sent earlier that evening, which included repeated threats to shoot her.
Officers responding to the scene soon located the vehicle parked nearby and ordered everyone inside to exit. Alexander was seated in the front passenger seat. As he stepped out, officers noticed a black backpack at his feet. A search of the bag revealed a privately made Geisler model 19X .40 caliber pistol, along with two standard magazines, one extended magazine, and Alexander’s wallet.
Additional firearm discovered during investigation
The investigation did not end there. While in custody, Alexander made phone calls from jail in which he admitted to owning another firearm that had not been found during the arrest. He referred to it as a “Glock 17,” which he had successfully hidden from officers at the scene.
Investigators later identified that weapon as a Glock model 17, a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol equipped with an extended magazine holding 39 rounds of ammunition. The discovery added further weight to the case, showing that Alexander had access to multiple weapons despite being prohibited from possessing any.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger, with the investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case and handed down the sentence.
With the sentence now imposed, Alexander will serve more than three years in federal prison, followed by supervision upon release. The case highlights the serious consequences of violating firearm restrictions and the dangers posed when threats escalate into armed confrontations.
