Billings, Montana – A Laurel man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison after admitting to illegally possessing multiple firearms and ammunition that authorities discovered during a search of his property.
Kenton Charles Maslen, 64, received a sentence of two years and two months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith announced.
Maslen pleaded guilty in January 2026 to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer imposed the sentence.
Search uncovered multiple firearms and ammunition
According to court documents, the investigation began on April 19, 2025, when law enforcement officers were asked to assist with Maslen’s eviction from a residence in Laurel.
While at the home, officers noticed a white crystalline substance on a piece of glass inside Maslen’s bedroom. That discovery led investigators to obtain a search warrant for the property later that same day.
During the search of the bedroom, officers found a brown leather handgun holster along with a green ammunition can. Inside the container were several boxes of .22-caliber ammunition and 12-gauge shotgun shells.
Investigators also searched a fifth-wheel camper parked in the driveway, which Maslen identified as belonging to him.
Inside the camper, officers located a black 12-gauge shotgun stored in a case. Authorities said the firearm did not have a serial number, and its barrel appeared to have been shortened to about 16 inches.
The gun case also contained a loaded magazine for a Smith and Wesson pistol, additional shotgun shells, and 9mm ammunition.
While continuing their search of the camper, investigators opened a floor compartment where they found another firearm, identified as a North American Arms .17-caliber revolver.
Law enforcement also searched Maslen’s truck and recovered a gun box containing a Ruger “Single Six” .22-caliber revolver.
Because Maslen was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, federal prosecutors charged him with unlawfully possessing the weapons and ammunition recovered during the investigation.
After pleading guilty earlier this year, Maslen appeared before Judge Mercer, who sentenced him to 26 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Billings Police Department, whose combined efforts led to the recovery of the firearms and ammunition and ultimately resulted in Maslen’s federal conviction and prison sentence.
