A federal jury in Billings has convicted Joshua David Heafner, 40, of possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme following a two-day trial that began on March 17.
Heafner faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, along with a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the trial and will determine the final sentence after considering relevant guidelines and statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2025. Until then, Heafner remains detained.
U.S. Attorney Alme commented on the case: “Heafner, a convicted felon with prior convictions for assaulting a peace officer and robbery, continued to endanger the citizens of Billings by illegally possessing a gun, leaving the scene of an accident, and fleeing from police. I want to thank the law enforcement officers who investigated this case and the lawyers and staff in our office for their outstanding work during trial.”
The prosecution presented evidence that on March 14, 2023, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Billings Police responded to a hit-and-run incident at North 31st Street and 6th Avenue North. Officers found an unoccupied Volkswagen Passat at the scene and witnesses reported seeing someone resembling Heafner fleeing on foot after the accident. Inside the vehicle were discovered a black pistol, ammunition rounds, and a methadone bottle bearing Heafner's name.
Further investigation led officers to locate Heafner near his residence where he attempted to evade arrest but was eventually apprehended. Fingerprints matching Heafner's were found inside the Passat alongside other evidence tying him to previous felony convictions including assault on a peace officer and robbery dating back to September 2013.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigative support from both the Billings Police Department and ATF under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This initiative aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
