Senate Confirms Kurt Alme as U.S. Attorney for Montana

HELENA, MT — The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kurt Alme as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, formalizing his leadership of the office that has prosecuted a string of high-profile drug trafficking, immigration, and reservation sexual abuse cases in recent months.

Alme, who previously served in the role from 2017-2020, had been serving in an interim capacity while awaiting Senate confirmation. During this period, his office has secured significant sentences in cases that highlight Montana’s ongoing challenges with federal crimes.

“Kurt Alme is an excellent pick to serve as our U.S. Attorney for Montana,” said U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy in a joint statement. “Kurt has already done an incredible job in his interim capacity and we are thrilled to see his final confirmation by the U.S. Senate.”

The confirmation comes as the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been actively prosecuting cases across Alme’s stated priority areas. In September, Billings man Christopher Lee Bercier received 15 years in federal prison for running an interstate methamphetamine operation, while a Mexican national was sentenced for his fourth illegal reentry into the United States.

Most notably, the office secured a 24-year sentence for a former juvenile probation officer who systematically abused Native American children across Montana reservations over three decades.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen praised Alme’s approach to drug enforcement, noting in his endorsement letter that “Montana is facing an unprecedented pandemic of Mexican cartel illicit drugs.”

“As Montana Attorney General, I need an aggressive U.S. Attorney to partner with my efforts to combat these evils. Kurt Alme is that U.S. Attorney,” Knudsen wrote.

Alme’s confirmation drew unusually broad support, with endorsements from tribal leaders, law enforcement officials, attorneys, and nonprofit organizations — a coalition that reflects his diverse experience addressing Montana’s federal crime challenges.

Shelly Fyant, a Montana state representative and former Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Chairwoman, highlighted Alme’s work on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons cases during his previous tenure.

“U.S. Attorney Alme’s leadership was informed, dedicated and heartfelt, qualities Indian Country citizens value to address these complicated issues,” Fyant wrote in her endorsement letter.

During his first tenure as U.S. Attorney, Alme chaired the DOJ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons working group and vice-chaired the four-state Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Task Force Area — roles that positioned him at the center of efforts to address crimes that continue to plague Montana communities.

Mike Linder, Yellowstone County Sheriff and President of the Montana Sheriff’s and Peace Officers Association, credited Alme with bringing law enforcement partners together through the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.

“Kurt’s commitment and success in bringing local, state, and federal law enforcement officers together through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, has been instrumental in reducing violent crimes, and holding local criminals accountable for their actions,” Linder wrote.

The Great Falls native graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado and cum laude from Harvard Law School. Before his initial appointment as U.S. Attorney, he served as Montana’s Budget Director and Director of the Montana Department of Revenue.

Alme also served as President and General Counsel of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, which supports treatment for Montana youth suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse.

“Kurt will crack down on drug trafficking and crime, protect our indigenous communities, and uphold the rule of law,” Daines and Sheehy said in their statement.