The FBI hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to officially open its 56th field office in Billings, Montana. The new FBI Billings Field Office will assume responsibility for all existing FBI resident agencies across the state and be led by Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Justin Gerken.
SAC Gerken welcomed Governor Greg Gianforte, U.S. Attorney for Montana Kurt Alme, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Billings Mayor-Elect Michael Nelson, and FBI National Security Branch Operations Director Michael Glasheen, along with representatives from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and Tribal councils and committees.
“The opening of the Billings Field Office marks an exciting milestone for the future of the FBI’s efforts in this community and honors the rich history of the Bureau’s work in Montana,” Glasheen said. “This office will better position the FBI to continue strengthening our incredible relationships with our local, state, Tribal, and federal law enforcement partners to protect and serve the state of Montana.”
SAC Gerken added, “We are doing far more than cutting a ribbon. We are deepening a commitment and strengthening work that has been underway in Montana for many years — work built by our resident agencies and by the strong partnerships that help keep communities across this state safe. This new office builds on that foundation.”
The Billings office joins eight resident agencies located in Bozeman, Glasgow, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Shelby, and Havre. Prior to the opening, FBI operations in Montana were overseen by the Salt Lake City Field Office, which managed the Billings facility as well as operations across Utah and Idaho — covering more than 300,000 square miles. Montana alone accounted for more than half of the Salt Lake office’s investigations.
Gov. Gianforte said the new field office will enhance Montana’s ability to respond to crime and protect communities. “Now more than ever, Montana needs to do our part to defend our national security and prioritize the safety of our communities,” he said. “With this new office, the FBI is dedicating more resources than ever before to assess local and regional crime threats and lead investigations right here at home.”
U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme noted that the field office will be a “game changer for public safety,” helping combat drug trafficking, violent crime, and other criminal activity. “With this field office comes resources and expertise that will work hand-in-hand with prosecutors and law enforcement across Montana — federal, state, Tribal, and local — to directly impact these challenges,” Alme said.
Montana continues to experience high rates of violent crime, including murder, child abuse, violent assaults, drug and human trafficking, public corruption, and financial crimes. The new FBI Billings Field Office is expected to strengthen investigative capacity and partnerships across the state to address these pressing public safety issues.