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A Bozeman man was sentenced to five years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

James Bennett, 33, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom in federal court today. In addition to the prison time, he must also pay a $100 special assessment and serve three years of supervised release

Bennett pleaded guilty to the charge.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens found Bennett to be in possession of a semi-automatic rifle that was inside his vehicle on Nov. 6, 2010, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The wardens reportedly stopped to investigate when they saw Bennett standing next to a vehicle parked near the Missouri River in McCone County and found a passenger who showed signs of "extensive physical abuse," according to the press release. Bennett reportedly admitted to assaulting the passenger while driving from Wolf Point.

In 2003, Bennett had been convicted of two federal felony offenses, interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle and larceny, thereby prohibiting him from possessing firearms.

The investigation was conducted by the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.