A Billings man has admitted to possessing a stolen firearm after breaking into police vehicles, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. Jacob Charles Berger, 28, pleaded guilty to the charge and could face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
The case was overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan. A sentencing date will be determined by U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors before issuing a sentence. Berger has been released pending further proceedings.
Court documents revealed that the Billings Police Department launched an investigation in March into the vandalism of five law enforcement vehicles between March 5 and March 15, 2024. The thefts included medical kits, body armor, and a 12-gauge shotgun with ammunition on one occasion.
Surveillance footage from one incident showed a suspect wearing black shoes and riding a black and red bicycle with skinny tires. Investigators identified latent fingerprints on the recovered bicycle as belonging to Berger. He was arrested at his home on an unrelated warrant.
Berger confessed to breaking into police vehicles and stealing body armor, medical supplies, and a shotgun. A search of his garage led officers to recover the stolen shotgun along with seven other firearms reported stolen between July 2023 and March 2024. The medical kits and body armor taken from police vehicles were also found.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office following an investigation conducted by the Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This incident is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. On May 26, 2021, an enhanced strategy for PSN was introduced focusing on trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.