Billings, Montana – A 65-year-old Billings man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after authorities found a firearm inside a parked vehicle and determined that he was prohibited from possessing a gun because of a previous felony conviction.
William Thomas Fischer was sentenced Wednesday to three years and one month in prison. After completing his prison term, Fischer will also serve three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Fischer pleaded guilty in May 2026 to unlawfully possessing a firearm. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case and imposed the sentence.
Police find handgun and ammunition inside vehicle
According to allegations outlined by the government in court documents, the case began when police encountered Fischer asleep inside a vehicle. His car was parked in the middle of an empty parking lot, prompting an officer to approach and investigate the situation.
Fischer was startled awake and immediately began speaking with the officer. The officer then asked him to provide identification.
While Fischer searched through the vehicle for documentation, the officer noticed what appeared to be the bottom plate of a Glock magazine. After making that observation, the officer ordered Fischer to get out of the vehicle and detained him.
Authorities then searched the car and discovered a handgun. Officers also found two BB guns along with assorted ammunition inside the vehicle.
Fischer was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of a felony. Federal law generally prevents people with qualifying felony convictions from possessing firearms.
The discovery eventually resulted in the federal firearm charge to which Fischer pleaded guilty in May.
Following his guilty plea, Fischer returned to federal court for sentencing and received a prison term of three years and one month, along with three years of supervision after his release.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Billings Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
