These are the Top 5 Federal Crimes in Montana Based on Sentencing

Despite Billings PD reporting an 11% decrease in violent crime in the first half of 2023, criminal activity has certainly been growing overall in the last decade. Fingers can be pointed at an increase in population, the crumbling decay of society, and the prevalence of dangerous drugs. The Montana Department of Justice shares the astronomical rise of fentanyl across our state, which is certainly a contributing factor to criminal activity. It's no surprise then, that the #1 federal crime in Montana is...

Federal drug trafficking charges.

CriminalDefense.com shared a report with us that reveals the top federal crimes in each state, and drugs easily take the top spot in Montana, with a rate of 12.11 federal sentences per 100,000 people. Drug trafficking crimes involve "knowingly manufacturing, dispensing, or distributing controlled substances or counterfeit controlled substances meant to be passed off as the real thing."

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Firearms violations.

Montanans love our guns, and apparently so do criminals in our state who are prohibited from owning them. With a rate of 8.19 federal sentences per 100,000, this is the second most common federal crime in Montana. Earlier this week in Billings a man was arrested by ATFE agents for toting a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school zone, a federal crime.

Fraud, theft, embezzlement.

Ah yes... moving into the white-collar crime category is our 3rd most popular federal offense in the Treasure State. These non-violent crimes occur at a rate of 3.83 federal sentences per 100,000. Cooking the books, stealing from an employer, or scamming COVID stimulus dollars all land in this category. So does stealing anything valued over $1,500. 

Assault.

We were somewhat surprised this federal felony charge wasn't higher on the list. With a rate of 1.78 federal sentences per 100,000 assault is #4 on the list.

Money Laundering.

It doesn't seem like we hear about money laundering happening very often in Montana, but it does occur. It's the fifth most common federal crime here, with a rate of 0.53 federal sentences per 100,000. Money laundering is when "criminal organizations conduct financial transactions to disguise the proceeds, sources, or nature of their illegal activities."