An investigation into a theft at a Fortine residence last month led to a felony charge for a man from north Lincoln County.

Michael Richard Franklin, 33, of Fortine pleaded not guilty Jan. 12 in Lincoln County District Court to one felony count of possessing a silencer and one misdemeanor count of theft.

Franklin’s next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23.

The accused was arrested Dec. 28 on Meadow Creek Road near U.S. Highway 93. His bail was first set at $35,000. Franklin’s public defender Maury Solomon sought a bail reduction to $10,000 and deputy county attorney Laura M. O’Neill didn’t oppose it.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by O’Neill, a woman called dispatch in Eureka Nov. 17, 2025, to report the theft of stolen items from her property on Dream Catcher Drive in Eureka. She said her and her husband lived part-time in Montana and the rest of the time in Florida. The couple built a cabin on their 2-acre property and hired Franklin to help with the construction.

According to the alleged victim, in November of 2024, Franklin broke up with his girlfriend and he asked them if he could move his camper onto their property. They allowed the move and believed he could caretake the property while the couple was in Florida.

Sometime in 2025, the alleged victim received a photo from Franklin that showed the inside of his camper. The woman saw a bowl belonging to her in Franklin’s camper. In November 2025, the woman returned to Eureka and told county Sgt. Bo Pitman a lot of her personal belongings were missing. They included household items, appliances, home decor, guns and construction tools.

When she confronted Franklin, he allegedly denied taking the items. The woman the contacted Franklin’s ex-girlfriend who told her he had gifted her decor type items, including a painting, during Christmas 2024.

Sgt. Pitman got a search warrant Nov. 20 for Franklin’s campers and storage unit in Eureka. When he and deputy Clint Heintz searched the properties, they found the previously mentioned bowl and a rifle with a homemade suppressor attached to it.

According to Sgt. Pitman, he learned Franklin took the bowl and also made further admissions about the homemade suppressor.

Franklin has had several misdemeanor convictions in Lincoln County since 2017. According to Lincoln County Justice Court records, he has pleaded guilty to driving while his license was suspended, DUI, criminal contempt and driving a motor vehicle without proper insurance.

A conviction for possessing a silencer may result in a 30-year term in the Montana State Prison while the misdemeanor theft charge carries a maximum term of six months in the county jail.