By – Karen McIlwain – August 15, 2023
Law enforcement officers arrested Paul J. Valenzuela, 55, of Great Falls, on August 14th. Later that same day Mr. Valenzuela appeared in federal court on charges of making threats to a federal agent and illegal possession of firearms. Mr. Valenzuela appeared for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint with Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presiding. He was charged with threats to a federal official and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Valenzuela faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The government alleged in court documents that Valenzuela, who has felony convictions, illegally possessed a firearm, and that on Aug. 7, he made threats to an FBI officer in text messages in which he refers to having access to firearms and stated, “Shoot at me I shoot back.”Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. Mr. Valenzuela was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI conducted the investigation. A criminal complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
