Conrad Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearms Offense

GREAT FALLS – Jonathan Paul Schulz, a 48-year-old resident of Conrad, Montana, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison followed by 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  U.S. District Judge Brian Morris handed down the sentence.

Investigators first learned about Schulz’s possible illegal possession of firearms because of posts to his Facebook account.  Schulz had made comments such as “i am a convicted fellon as well however the Constitution says nothing about it :) some of the later laws that water down our rights deal with that, so in my opionion **** the law that says we cant arm ourselvs.  I stand with the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Indipendance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I want to look em in the eyes as thay take their last breath.”  In later postings, Schulz bragged that he had thousands of rounds of ammunition and mortar with hundreds of rounds hidden in an “outpost.”  Additionally, Schulz posted photographs of himself with several rifles and a Judge pistol.  Referring the Judge, Schulz stated, it was “one of two new additions to my arsenal” and that “this one goes everywhere I do.”  In later posts, Schulz talked about how it was time to start killing cops.

On August 4, 2016, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Schulz’s residence.  During the search, agents found a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  The pistol was located on top of the kitchen cabinets.  The firearm was loaded including one round in the chamber.  It was later learned that Schulz had stolen the firearm from his father-in-law.  During the search, agents also found various caliber ammunition in the garage.  Because Schulz had a prior felony conviction from the State of Texas, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan R. Whittaker and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify those responsible for significant violent crime in Montana.  A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a recently reinvigorated Department of Justice program that has proven to be successful in reducing violent crime.  Today’s sentencing is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.

GREAT FALLS – Jonathan Paul Schulz, a 48-year-old resident of Conrad, Montana, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison followed by 3 years supervised release after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  U.S. District Judge Brian Morris handed down the sentence.

Investigators first learned about Schulz’s possible illegal possession of firearms because of posts to his Facebook account.  Schulz had made comments such as “i am a convicted fellon as well however the Constitution says nothing about it :) some of the later laws that water down our rights deal with that, so in my opionion **** the law that says we cant arm ourselvs.  I stand with the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Indipendance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I want to look em in the eyes as thay take their last breath.”  In later postings, Schulz bragged that he had thousands of rounds of ammunition and mortar with hundreds of rounds hidden in an “outpost.”  Additionally, Schulz posted photographs of himself with several rifles and a Judge pistol.  Referring the Judge, Schulz stated, it was “one of two new additions to my arsenal” and that “this one goes everywhere I do.”  In later posts, Schulz talked about how it was time to start killing cops.

On August 4, 2016, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Schulz’s residence.  During the search, agents found a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  The pistol was located on top of the kitchen cabinets.  The firearm was loaded including one round in the chamber.  It was later learned that Schulz had stolen the firearm from his father-in-law.  During the search, agents also found various caliber ammunition in the garage.  Because Schulz had a prior felony conviction from the State of Texas, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan R. Whittaker and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to identify those responsible for significant violent crime in Montana.  A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a recently reinvigorated Department of Justice program that has proven to be successful in reducing violent crime.  Today’s sentencing is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.