Convicted Bank Robber Sentenced for Cross-Country Weapons Arsenal on Amtrak in Libby

MISSOULA, MT — A convicted bank robber traveling cross-country on Amtrak with an arsenal of weapons and tactical gear was sentenced to over nine years in federal prison Tuesday, raising questions about what larger criminal operation may have been thwarted.

Mallory Nehemiah Brown, 44, of Auburn, Washington, received 115 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. The case highlighted how a multi-state investigation originating from passenger complaints led federal authorities to intercept what appeared to be preparation for a major criminal enterprise.

Extensive Arsenal Discovered

Brown boarded an Amtrak train in Seattle on January 8, 2024, carrying what prosecutors described as a substantial weapons cache bound for Washington, D.C. When the train made an unscheduled stop in Libby, Montana, the following day due to passenger complaints, law enforcement discovered an extensive arsenal in Brown’s luggage.

“Inside, he discovered four firearms, ammunition, magazines, a suppressor, eight firearms receivers, night vision googles, a tactical vest, and other assorted accessories,” according to court documents filed by federal prosecutors.

The equipment suggested preparation for sophisticated criminal activity far beyond typical illegal gun possession cases, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.

Cross-State Investigation

The case required coordination between multiple jurisdictions and agencies. Brown’s 2004 bank robbery conviction in California’s Eastern District had resulted in federal supervision conditions prohibiting him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

“Brown denied the bags belong to him. However, several Amtrak employees identified Brown as the person who loaded the bags on the train,” prosecutors stated in court filings. “Further, one of the boxes had a shipping label on it addressed to ‘Mallory Brown.'”

The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), FBI, Libby Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Probation and Parole — illustrating the multi-jurisdictional nature of the case.

Pattern of Escalation

Brown’s criminal history suggests an escalating pattern. His 2004 bank robbery conviction in California resulted in 51 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. Twenty years later, he was intercepted with equipment that could facilitate far more sophisticated criminal operations.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over Tuesday’s sentencing in Missoula federal court, where Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case.

Federal Gun Crime Initiative

The prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program targeting violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts. The Department of Justice launched an enhanced version of the program in 2021, focusing on community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.

“This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

The case demonstrates how passenger rail security relies heavily on fellow travelers and crew vigilance, as it was passenger complaints — not security screening — that led to Brown’s discovery and arrest in rural Montana.