CRIME & SAFETY

The September 2018 disappearance of Laura Johnson led to one of Montana’s most notable no-body convictions, and much of it was thanks to the love and determination of the missing woman’s children. Forty-nine-year-old Laura Johnson grew up in Vancouver, Washington — about 10 miles north of Portland, Oregon....

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Billings Police Department announced the missing 8-year-old girl has been found safe. Billings Police Department released the following information:

On Sept. 12, Rigby the French Bulldog was in his family's yard in Billings when a stranger grabbed him and took off. He hasn't been seen since.

A Billings man, formerly from Polson, was sentenced in Polson District Court Sept. 21 to a total of 10 years in the Montana State Prison with five years suspended on domestic violence-related charges. Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher sentenced Morgan Aniba Quinones Velazquez, 50, to the Montana State Prison for five years, none suspended, for violating conditions of the suspended sentence. The original sentence was a seven-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections, all suspended, except 243 days jail time already served. That was on two counts of violating an order of protection in July 2020. The presiding judge in that case, Judge Molly Owen, said at the time that this was “not an isolated event” and that it “completely destroyed this family.” Judge Christopher also sentenced Velazquez to five years with the Montana State Prison, all suspended, on a stalking conviction. According to court records, Velazquez again violated an order of protection twice, Feb. 1 and Feb. 23, 2023. The sentence was in accordance with a plea agreement reached in an earlier court appearance that dismisses two counts of violating an order of protection. Judge Christopher gave Velazquez credit for having already served 129 days in the Lake County Jail.

What's driving the gang violence in a place like Billings, Montana? Where did some of those downtown transients go? How bad is it getting? Is there any good news when it comes to public safety in Montana's biggest town? We tackled that and more with the police chief and a couple council members.

About two weeks ago, a Billings rescue horse was nearly killed, after a mountain lion attacked her in her stable at the Over The Hill Equine Rescue located near Blue Creek.

Billings, Mont. - A Garryown man admitted to selling methamphetamine as part of a large-scale trafficking ring that was based on the Crow Indian Reservation. Zachary Douglas Bacon admitted guilt on Friday, September 22, pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. He is facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release, according to a press release sent out by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana, Monday, September 25.

BILLINGS, Mont. — A Montana man has pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging he threatened to kill President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, both Democrats, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana said. Anthony James Cross of Billings entered his plea on Tuesday. He remains...

During the investigation, officers located several shell casings in the roadway and a house that had been struck several times from a shooting that occurred a few hours earlier.

A Billings man, arrested on weapons charges after carrying a rifle near Broadwater Elementary school is back in his home.

Billings, Mont. - A vehicle exploded Saturday night by Terry Park in Billings. Officers were called to the intersection of 5th Street West and Miles Avenue for a reported explosion at approximately 11:30 PM on Saturday, September 23, according to the Billings Police Department's Facebook post. Officers located a vehicle...

This just in from The Billings Police Department Social Media:. This morning, around 7:39 AM, Billings Police Department Officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Terry Avenue for a weapons complaint and possible vandalism. During the investigation, officers located several shell casings in the roadway and a home that...

BILLINGS, Mont. - University police are investigating two burglaries that occurred at Montana State University Billings residence halls Saturday and Sunday. MSUB said in an alert from the emergency notification system university police responded to a report of burglary in the residence halls Saturday at 11:08 p.m., and the second Sunday at 10:11 p.m.

A Billings boy found himself in a scary situation on the Rims Sunday afternoon after he got stuck on a steep, rocky ledge while trying to reach his cat, Bruce.

BILLINGS - Billings Police Lieutenant Matt Lennick says an injury crash has prompted the closure of Airport Road at Main Street in the Billings Heights. Lennick says while Main Street is open to traffic, Airport Road is closed in both directions while police investigate the scene. No information is available...

The BPD is investigating a weapons complaint that allegedly happened in the 800 block of Terry Ave. around 7:40 Monday morning. Officers said they initially responded to a possible vandalism and found several shell casings in the roadway and a house which had been struck several times. The house was...

Billings Police responded to a reported explosion Saturday night near the intersection of Miles Avenue and 5th Street West, which turned out to be a firework that was set off inside a vehicle.

Billings resident Jonathan Ryan Wright said that one of his first experiences at the skate park was not a good one.

The following represent a portion of the calls responded to by officers from the Laurel Police Department in the month of September. Unless otherwise indicated, all cases are considered under investigation. Anyone with information about these or other crimes is encouraged to call the LPD at 628-8737. September 6.

Billings Police Lt. Matt Lennick said the incident involved state and federal probation and parole officers.