East Helena man gets probation after gun incident near high school

HELENA — An East Helena man was sentenced after authorities said he confronted a high school student with a gun near East Helena High School.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana, Ryan Christopher Williams, 47, was sentenced to five years of probation and 80 hours of community service. He had pleaded guilty in February 2026 to unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone.

The release said the case stemmed from a May 1, 2025 encounter near the school. Prosecutors said Williams followed a student who was heading to class, blocked the student's vehicle near the high school and pulled a gun during the confrontation.

The student made it to school and told staff what happened. The school then contacted law enforcement.

Investigators later found a vehicle matching the student's description on the 2700 block of Bandera Drive and connected it to Williams. Authorities said Williams acknowledged stopping the student and being armed, but denied pointing the gun.

Deputies also found a gun on his property that investigators said matched the student's description. U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris handled the case.