Quiet Montana Community Caught In Unsettling Federal Investigation

It is not very often that Montana makes headlines for stories like the one you are about to read. Most of the time, life here moves at a quieter pace, especially in places like Paradise Valley. Chico Hot Springs, located just outside of Pray, is a familiar and well-loved getaway for many locals, myself included. That is part of what makes this case so unsettling.

A 24 year old Pray man, Kadin Hawkeye Lewis, admitted to federal charges related to the possession of explosives earlier this week. According to court records, Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of possessing unregistered destructive devices. As part of that plea, he now faces the possibility of up to 10 years in prison, a fine that could reach $250,000, and three years of supervised release. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2026, and he remains in custody as the case moves forward.

The investigation goes back a couple of years to September 2022, when law enforcement was called to a travel trailer near Pray after reports of a deceased individual. When officers arrived, they found a man inside the trailer who appeared to have died from a gunshot wound. The trailer was where Lewis had been living at the time. Officers then discovered some pretty alarming things, like Molotov cocktails (makeshift bombs) and other materials that could be used to create weapons.

During the earlier investigation, authorities reported finding disturbing language and symbols inside the trailer. There were also journal entries describing admiration for past mass shooters and outlining potential targets. Those potential targets include Chico Hot Springs and Montana schools.