July 21 – A Columbia Falls man with multiple felony convictions was sentenced July 20 to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of probation, for unlawful possession of a loaded shotgun.
Christopher Glenn Lakey, 35, pleaded guilty in March to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In sentencing Lakey, the court applied an enhancement under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which provides that a defendant convicted of a felony in possession faces a mandatory 15-year prison sentence if he has three prior convictions for a serious drug offense or violent crime.
The government alleged in court documents that on Jan. 18, 2022, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office learned that Lakey was leaving Columbia Falls in a van with possibly weapons in his possession. Deputies were aware of an outstanding federal warrant for Lakey and located the truck.
Lakey reportedly fled, driving over 100 mph towards Whitefish. During his robbery, Lakey allegedly threw a stolen 12-gauge shotgun out the window. The shotgun was recovered the next day from the side of the road and had one bullet chambered and four in the barrel, officials said.
Two 12-gauge shells were found during a search of his abandoned truck, according to court documents.
Lakey had previous convictions for criminal endangerment, burglary and robbery and was prohibited from owning firearms.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided over the case, which was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The FBI, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Probation and Parole, Whitefish Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives worked on the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun violence.