A Helena man has been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison following his conviction for a firearm-related crime. Scott Hamilton, 44, was also given three years of supervised release after admitting to receiving a firearm and ammunition with the intent to commit a felony. The sentence was delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris.
The case stemmed from an incident on December 20, 2023, when law enforcement officers stopped Hamilton on Montana Highway 12 during a welfare check. Hamilton, who was wearing dark clothing and carrying a duffel bag, claimed he had car trouble and was walking to East Helena. Officers discovered an active warrant for his arrest from Broadwater County.
When officers attempted to arrest him, Hamilton fled across the highway but was apprehended shortly thereafter. During the pursuit, he dropped his duffle bag which contained two firearms—a .22 caliber revolver and a 9mm pistol—along with numerous rounds of ammunition. Due to prior felony convictions, Hamilton was prohibited from possessing firearms.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case with investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. For more information about PSN, visit Justice.gov/PSN.