Bend man, convicted felon, receives prison sentence for assault rifle possession

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 38-year-old Bend man was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison today for illegally possessing an assault rifle and ammunition in the Deschutes National Forest. Cody Joe Hunt, a convicted felon, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

The sentencing follows a Feb. 13, 2025, incident where U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers responded to reports of gunfire near China Hat Road. Officers arrived at the scene to find Hunt fleeing into the woods. As a convicted felon, Hunt is prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearms or ammunition.

As Hunt fled from the scene near China Hat Road, he left behind an assault rifle and spent shell casings. U.S. Forest Service officers tracked him through the snow and discovered ammunition in his pockets that matched the discarded rifle. Hunt was initially arrested on separate, unspecified charges.

The investigation expanded after authorities obtained a search warrant for Hunt's electronic devices. Data recovered from the devices provided evidence that Hunt possessed the rifle in the weeks leading up to the incident. The Deschutes County Digital Forensics Division assisted in the investigation, which revealed Hunt had participated in the purchase of the firearm at a local dealer.

A federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count superseding indictment against Hunt on Sept. 18, 2025. The indictment officially charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Hunt subsequently pleaded guilty to both counts on Nov. 18, 2025.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren prosecuted the case for the government. The investigation was led by the U.S. Forest Service with support from local forensics experts.