August 4, 2024 – BILLINGS — A Billings man who conducted armed patrols on the sidewalk in his neighborhood, which is across the street from a public elementary school and in a school zone, was sentenced on Friday to three years of probation for a firearms conviction, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Gabriel Cowan Metcalf, 50, pleaded guilty in March to unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone, as charged in an indictment.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

In a plea agreement, the parties jointly recommended that a probationary sentence was appropriate.

“Almost one year ago, just as the school year was scheduled to begin, Broadwater Elementary School was busy taking proactive measures to protect kids from Metcalf and so were our law enforcement partners. Despite multiple attempts to explain to Metcalf that he was in violation of federal law, he continued his habit of armed patrols around his neighborhood and in a school zone. As we prepare for another year of school, the parents and children of Billings schools should know we will do whatever it takes to keep kids safe, as shown by our actions in this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

The government alleged in court documents that in August 2023, multiple individuals observed Metcalf walking in the vicinity of Broadwater Elementary School while carrying a firearm. Metcalf was observed in multiple public areas, including walking down the sidewalk, crossing the street, and walking down a city alley, all within 1,000 feet of the elementary school. Metcalf’s residence is on Broadwater Avenue and is directly across the street from the school.

On Aug. 17, 2023, law enforcement officers spoke to Metcalf, who admitted to following cars while carrying a firearm, walking to the nearby business and escorting his mother down the street to her shop while carrying a firearm. Metcalf further told officers he patrolled daily and usually went around the block once or twice a week, but that lately he had done it several times a day. On Aug. 22, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Metcalf’s residence and seized a 20-gauge shotgun and six rounds of ammunition. The shotgun was the firearm Metcalf described as using to patrol.

Metcalf’s conduct prompted the school to lock down, put up tarping, erect a temporary fence, change where children walked and request increased police presence. When confronted with information that he was scaring parents and school authorities, Metcalf would not stop.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.