Ronan man sentenced for firearm possession
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MISSOULA – On Jan. 31, United States District Judge Donald W. Molloy sentenced Vincent Joseph Curley, a 31-year-old resident of Ronan, to five months in prison, followed by five months house arrest and three years of supervised release. Curley pled guilty to possession of a firearm after a previous conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
On April 18, 2010, Curley possessed a Hi-Point pistol during a domestic disturbance in Ronan, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. During the disturbance, Curley threatened his domestic partner with the loaded pistol.
Law enforcement who responded to the disturbance spoke to Curley and his domestic partner, learning that during the argument Curley had a pistol and cocked it repeatedly, insisting someone was in the attic.
Law enforcement later learned that Curley waved the pistol around the house and fired it during the argument. Officers also discovered Curley had thrown his partner around evidenced by marks on her neck and chest.
When officers asked Curley if he had a pistol, he responded that the pistol was under the pillow in the bedroom. A .40 caliber Hi-Point pistol loaded with a round in the chamber was then located.
Further investigation revealed that Curley purchased the pistol on Dec. 1, 2009, in Ronan.
Due to the fact that there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that Curley will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court.
Curley does, however, have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for good behavior, but this reduction won’t exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Flathead Tribal Police.
