A Plains man, Zen York Lowther, 36, has been sentenced to five years in prison for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. This sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
Lowther pleaded guilty to the charge in August. The case was presided over by U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy.
Court documents revealed that law enforcement discovered Lowther's possession of firearms and controlled substances while he was on state parole for felony burglary and theft. Authorities also received information about his involvement in the sale of firearms. A confidential source arranged to meet Lowther on August 2, 2023, in St. Regis to purchase firearms from him. Upon arrival, Lowther was taken into custody.
During a search of his vehicle, officers found a 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and 9mm ammunition in a bag. Additionally, a 12-gauge shotgun and $5,257 were located on the center bench seat. A subsequent search of Lowther's residence uncovered 19 more firearms and two silencers.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigative efforts from the Plains Police Department, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites law enforcement agencies at all levels with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched a strategy on May 26, 2021, aimed at reducing violent crime by fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
For further details about Project Safe Neighborhoods visit Justice.gov/PSN.