Billings police say SWAT search recovered 53 firearms, deny mistreatment of 90‑year‑old resident

Billings — Police Chief Saint John provided the City Council with a detailed account of a coordinated enforcement operation that targeted two properties in Billings, saying officers executed two district court warrants and recovered a total of 53 firearms across the sites.

The chief said the search centered on narcotics and stolen property investigations. “The main residence is where we found 48 firearms in the basement,” he said, adding that 17 of those weapons were identified as stolen. He said a threat matrix required the deployment of SWAT; officers cleared multiple structures on the King Avenue East property, including a main house, a trailer and a bus, and detectives later conducted a search of the secured property.

Why it matters: The operation prompted public concern that officers had mistreated an elderly resident at one property. Chief Saint John told council the allegations are unfounded. “Allegations … of property damage and mistreatment of the resident are unfounded,” he said, adding that commanders confirmed care was taken to avoid damage and that detectives escorted the resident back inside to retrieve personal items as an uncommon courtesy during search operations.

The chief also addressed immigration concerns raised in public reporting: he said there was one Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent assisting in a HIDA role and that no U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred. He said the primary suspect — identified by police as the grandson of the resident — has been detained on federal charges and is awaiting state charges.

Community reaction: During public comment, residents expressed mixed reactions. Paul Clark, who said he knows members of the household, described the experience of seeing officers enter with “badges and guns” as frightening even though he also said he did not believe officers had mishandled the resident. “We apologize if anything is bad, but this has to stop,” Clark said, urging clarity and restraint in future operations.

What’s next: Chief Saint John said the department has hundreds of pre‑search and post‑search photographs and body‑worn camera footage that document the operation and that he will continue to keep council informed. No formal disciplinary or policy actions were announced at the work session; council members and city staff said they would follow up as needed.

Reporting note: The council’s discussion and multiple public comments reflected community concern about both public safety and residents’ treatment during enforcement actions. The chief’s presentation attributed the operation to the Eastern Montana drug task force and collaborating units and described it as protracted, evidence‑driven enforcement intended to disrupt criminal activity.