Polson man pleads not guilty to firearms charge

A Polson felon pleaded not guilty last week in U.S. District Court to possessing a firearm.

Samuel R. Friscia, 25, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A grand jury determined in October that there was sufficient evidence for prosecutors to bring a case to trial alleging that Friscia was found in possession of a Raven Arms Model MP25 .25 auto caliber pistol.

Friscia’s alleged infraction took place on April 9, 2015, in Lake County.

Friscia was convicted in Lake County District Court in 2009 of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute.

His suspended sentence was revoked on May 5, 2015. He received a five-year sentence to the Montana State Prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is pending before U.S. Magistrate Jeremiah Lynch.