East Helena Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Firing Gun In Townsend Robbery
Author: Independent Record Staff
East Helena Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Firing Gun in Townsend Robbery
Independent Record Staff
An East Helena man who fired a gun during a robbery of a Townsend gas station was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, officials said.
Samuel James Collins, 34, pleaded guilty in July to possessing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided in Great Falls.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Oct. 16, 2023, Broadwater County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a reported armed robbery at the Town Pump gas station in Townsend.
Two employees told law enforcement that a man entered wearing a hooded blanket coat, was not wearing pants or shoes, and fired a round from a pistol. The suspect demanded money, and the employees complied. The suspect left in a pickup truck with an estimated $330 in cash. Video surveillance from the business captured the incident.
Published in the Nov. 15 Independent Record.
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PhotoCredit: United States Attorney's Office
Image 1 Caption: Security camera scene at Town Pump the night of October 16, 2023.
Photo Credit: United States Attorney's Office
