District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal, local law enforcement disrupt meth traffickers based in Park CountyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — Investigations by federal and local law enforcement agencies into methamphetamine traffickers who attempted to set up base in Livingston in Park County have resulted in federal drug convictions, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today.
During a press conference at the Park County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Building in Livingston, U.S. Attorney Laslovich, along with federal, local and drug task force partners, discussed the dismantling of a drug ring that brought large quantities of meth from Idaho to Livingston for redistribution in Park and Gallatin counties and elsewhere. Joining the U.S. Attorney were officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Park County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri River Drug Task Force.
“As these investigations show, Montana’s smaller and more rural communities, like Livingston, are not immune from drug traffickers who bring in meth from out of state and try to enlist local addicts and dealers to redistribute drugs. Without local lower-level dealers willing to sell for larger suppliers, these larger suppliers would not have a way to push their drugs to individual users. The collaborative work of the Park County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was critical to the investigation and federal prosecution of these cases. Our work is ongoing and regardless of the size of the Montana community, we will continue to aggressively prosecute drug traffickers poisoning our communities,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“Violent crime can swiftly overwhelm any community, ending its sense of safety, victimizing countless individuals, and inflicting economic losses on businesses,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. “Now, more than ever, it is imperative for local, state and federal law enforcement, alongside our communities, to remain united and steadfast in efforts to detect, disrupt, and combat violent crime."
“The Sheriff’s Office and our partners are committed to dismantling the drug trade in Park County,” Park County Sheriff Brad Bichler said. “Strong partnerships are invaluable when taking on a mission of this magnitude, and we are lucky to have a group who are working together to achieve our goals and objectives. We will continue to remove this poison and those who deal in it from Park County.”
"The Missouri River Drug Task Force is proud of the work done on these investigations. This is a great example of what can be accomplished through collaborative efforts between local, state, and federal agencies,” said MRDTF Commander Nate Kamerman, who is the investigations captain with the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office. “MRDTF's focus is on interstate Drug Trafficking Organizations, but these investigations nearly always begin with data gathered at the local level. The presence of a Park County Sheriff's Office deputy on the MRDTF not only set the foundation for our involvement in these investigations, but also allowed for effective communication with our federal partners. MRDTF will continue to work with agencies at every level to provide thoroughly investigated and documented cases, allowing prosecutors to fulfill their role in holding drug traffickers accountable."
According to court documents, a drug trafficking investigation began in early 2020 when law enforcement learned that defendants Oscar Albert Nevarez, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and co-defendant, James D. Murrieta, of Utica, New York, were bringing meth from outside of Montana to Livingston for redistribution in Park and Gallatin counties and elsewhere in Montana. Murietta and Nevarez were business partners, and Nevarez made approximately five trips to Idaho and back to get meth from a source of supply. Murietta and Nevarez used a Livingston residence as a base from which they supplied local dealers. Law enforcement also bought meth from Murietta in Bozeman and Belgrade in controlled purchases. Nevarez was sentenced to six years in federal prison, while Murietta was sentenced to 56 months in federal prison for their convictions in the case.
In addition, investigations have led to federal charges against other individuals in Park County on various drug trafficking crimes involving meth, fentanyl and heroin and firearms crimes.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas K. Godfrey prosecuted the cases. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Park County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri River Drug Task Force conducted the investigations.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Missoula man sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for trafficking methRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community was sentenced today to 11 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Kevin Dean McLeod, 54, pleaded guilty in October of 2023 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force began investigating McLeod in the Spring of 2023. McLeod sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant, and later to an undercover agent, for a total of five times during the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Attempted sex trafficking of minor in Billings sends Virginia man to prison for 10 yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Virginia man convicted in a jury trial of attempting to trafficking a minor while in Billings was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
A federal jury convicted Mark Samuel Baker, 57, of Gore, Virginia, of attempted sex trafficking of a minor as charged in an indictment on Sept. 19, 2023, following a two-day trial in Missoula.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents and during trial, the government alleged that from July 11, 2022 to July 13, 2022, Baker knowingly attempted to recruit and solicit a minor to engage in commercial sex. During the investigation, an undercover officer used the internet to post an advertisement purporting to be a female escort who was the minimum allowed posting age of 18. About six hours later, the undercover agent received a message in response to the ad from a phone number later identified to be Baker’s. Law enforcement responded on July 12, 2022 asking if Baker wanted “a date.” Law enforcement and Baker communicated over the next two days. One of the exchanges included: Law enforcement asks, “Are u ok if I’m not 18.” Baker responds, “Yes as long as you are ok I’m 49.” Law enforcement writes, “I’m almost 16 if ur cool w that.”
Baker and the undercover discussed how much time $80 would buy, and Baker said he wanted sex with the undercover officer. Baker also sent pictures of the cash he would use and of himself. They then made plans to meet in Billings and go to Baker’s hotel. Law enforcement arrested Baker on July 13, 2022 when he showed up at the designated time. A call was then placed to the phone number law enforcement had been texting, and a smartphone in Baker’s vehicle lit up with the undercover’s number. Law enforcement found $375 in cash, a hotel passkey and four condoms on Baker’s person.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announces fraud alert for COVID-19 cryptocurrency scamRead the Press Release
NOTE: This press release has been updated to reflect the removal of the names of uncharged entities.
BILLINGS — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office are alerting the public about a nationwide scam to trick individuals into paying cryptocurrency to lift fake, non-existent arrest warrants.
Targets of the scam receive phone calls or forged court documents stating that they are being investigated for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) fraud and are the subject of an arrest warrant. The documents often claim to have been sent on behalf of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch. Additional documents sent by scammers advise the recipient that to lift the arrest warrant, the recipient must make a payment through a cryptocurrency kiosk. The documents contain detailed instructions on how to use a cryptocurrency kiosk to send payment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with the FBI, are warning the public that these solicitations are unapproved and illegitimate. If you receive solicitations to lift an arrest warrant in exchange for cryptocurrency payments, you should not respond or follow those instructions.
“We are aware of scammers attempting to target Montanans to trick us into paying cryptocurrency for bogus arrest warrants. No Montanan should ever be contacted by law enforcement asking for money to lift an arrest warrant. If you are contacted to do this, it’s fraudulent. These fraudsters can be convincing, and the documents may appear to be authentic, but they are not. I urge anyone who may be the targets of this scheme to report it to local law enforcement and the FBI,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“Scammers prey on people’s fears or use intimidation tactics so victims will hastily provide personal information or payment,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Keep in mind, federal agencies and law enforcement will never contact individuals to ask for money.”
Please report these scams to law enforcement by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721, or by submission to the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. You also may report the scam to the FBI at: https://www.ic3.gov/.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
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Federal judge convicts Wyoming man for role in commercial sex activity in Billings, making false statements to law enforcementRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A U.S. District Court judge on Feb. 20 convicted a Wyoming man for his role in arranging for commercial sex in Billings and then making false statements to federal investigators, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
After a one-day bench trial on Feb. 20, U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters found the defendant, Mark Jay Albrecht, 66, of Gillette, Wyoming, guilty of use of facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering and making a false statement as charged in a fourth superseding indictment. Albrecht faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on each crime.
The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for March 20 and continued Albrecht’s release pending further proceedings.
“Spinning a web of lies to federal agents about his efforts to engage in commercial sex activity has now made Albrecht a federal felon. His desire and actions to have commercial sex contributed to the sex trafficking of a minor, for which the trafficker was previously held accountable by this office. I applaud and thank our federal prosecutors, as well as the FBI, IRS, and Billings Police Department for their tenacity in holding Albrecht accountable for his deceit,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that on April 21, 2021, law enforcement responded to a report of possible commercial sex activity at the Quality Inn in Billings. Billings police officers knocked on the door of the suspect room and announced themselves. A woman, identified as Ashley Stella, of Reno, Nevada, Jane Doe 1, who was a minor at the time, and Albrecht emerged. Albrecht was seen buttoning up his shirt as he exited the room. Albrecht initially denied to police and FBI officers, who had responded to assist, that he was in the room for a sexual encounter and offered various stories about why he was there. Ultimately, Albrecht acknowledged going to the room to engage in commercial sex. Albrecht explained how he used a social media website to arrange for commercial sex and how he responded on Tryst using his cellphone. He showed law enforcement the cellphone messages setting up the meeting. Stella acknowledged in interviews that Albrecht was in the room for commercial sex, and that Jane Doe 1 traveled with her for the purpose of commercial sex. Following the events of April 21, 2021, law enforcement began a federal sex trafficking investigation.
As part of the sex trafficking investigation, Albrecht was issued a federal grand jury subpoena to testify about the events surrounding April 21, 2021. In anticipation of the grand jury appearance, Albrecht was invited to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for an interview in May 2021 to explain the grand jury process to him. FBI and IRS agents were present for that interview. Albrecht was informed several times that he was not a target of the investigation and that the only way he could get into trouble was to make false statements. Albrecht also was informed that making false statements to a federal agent was a crime. Despite these assurances, Albrecht repeatedly stated that he did not go to the Quality Inn for commercial sex but rather offered another story about why he was communicating with Stella. Albrecht never admitted he was soliciting commercial sex during his May 2021 interview, contrary to facts known by law enforcement. Stella was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for conviction of transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, IRS and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office hosts United Against Hate meeting in Great FallsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office held a United Against Hate meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Great Falls Public Library with community members, along with federal and local law enforcement representatives, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
United Against Hate is an initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice focused on improving the prevention of hate crimes and hate incidents by building relationships at the local level. Through this initiative, the Justice Department seeks to create and strengthen partnerships among law enforcement, community leaders and residents.
“The United States Department of Justice knows we have an obligation, both legally and morally, to hold individuals accountable for crimes driven by all forms of hatred. Indeed, we are united against hate and this essential and sobering work requires all of us pulling in the same direction. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our federal and local partners to combat hate crimes in Montana,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“The latest FBI statistics show that hate-fueled violence is on the rise,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “It's imperative we take a collective approach to address this issue head on. We hope this event spurred conversations, strengthened relationships, and empowered the community with the knowledge and tools to combat hate crimes together.”
The meeting with the Great Falls community is one in a series of meetings the U.S. Attorney’s Office is holding throughout Montana and provided an opportunity for community members to have a better understanding of hate crimes and hate incidents, how to report them to law enforcement and to learn about available resources. Approximately 60 people attended the event, which was hosted by the Great Falls Public Library. Additional Justice Department information and resources about hate crimes are available at https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
Speakers at the event included U.S. Attorney Laslovich and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon, from the Missoula Division Office. In addition, the event featured a Hate Crimes Panel Discussion and question and comment session that included U.S. Attorney Laslovich; FBI Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha, from the Salt Lake City Field Office; Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki; and Great Falls Police Department Captain Rob Moccasin.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be holding additional United Against Hate events in coming months in communities across the state.
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Ex-Bureau of Land Management employee admits stealing, forging and cashing government checksRead the Press Release
MISSOULA—A former Bureau of Land Management employee today admitted to stealing agency checks and forging the signature of another employee to obtain cash for personal expenses, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Adrian Anthony Aragon, 52, of Butte, pleaded guilty to theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. Aragon faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250 000 fine and three years of supervised release on the theft crime and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft crime.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen will sentence Aragon on June 26. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Aragon was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Aragon worked for the BLM in 2019 and 2020. In early 2022, a BLM employee, identified as Jane Doe, reported four checks totaling $10,700 were written on a government bank account in her name without her knowledge or authorization. Bank records showed that the checks were written to “cash” against a Citibank account and presented for deposit into Wells Fargo accounts solely in Aragon’s name. Aragon used the stolen funds for personal expenses, including cash withdrawals, utility and cell phone bills, restaurants, grocery stores and Amazon purchases. Jane Doe told law enforcement that Aragon had access to her checks during his employment and that Aragon made schedule changes resulting in him being the first or last person in the office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case. The Department of Interior Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.
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Browning man admits assaulting, strangling woman on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of strangling and beating a dating partner, causing serious injury, admitted to assault charges on Feb. 20, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
The defendant, Emerson John No Runner, Jr., 47, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault of a dating partner by strangulation and suffocation. No Runner faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 20. No Runner was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in March 2022 in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, No Runner and his then-girlfriend, identified as Jane Doe, had been drinking together and had slept at a relative’s trailer. The pair were alone when No Runner started arguing with Jane Doe about perceived infidelity. No Runner straddled Jane Doe on a mattress, placed his hands around her neck and applied pressure. Jane Doe lost consciousness and woke up after sunset. Jane Doe felt her head, realized she was bleeding and that there were pieces of wood in her hair. Officers seized a piece of wood with apparent blood and hair. Jane Doe suffered a brain injury and bruising on her neck. In a Facebook message to Jane Doe in December 2023, No Runner referenced the assault, stating, “the plan was to kill you that day should of, so bye bitch.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and FBI conducted the investigation.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Feb. 15 was:
Lawrence Michael Demarais, 46, a transient, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Demarais faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Demarais was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-07.
Jessie Ambrose Deaguero, 41, of Billings, on charges of theft from federal firearms licensee and possession of stolen firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Deaguero faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Deaguero was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-12.
Isaac Michael Price, 19, of Billings, on charges of theft from federal firearms licensee and possession of stolen firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Price faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Price was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-19.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Feb. 14 was:
William Robert Smith, 71, of Great Falls, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Smith was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-03.
Appearing on Feb.13 was:
Alvin Aubrey Roe, 47, of Helena, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and prohibited person in possession of ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Roe faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Roe was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Great Falls Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-104.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Troy man admits tampering with evidence in grizzly bear killingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Troy man admitted today that he tampered with evidence in the shooting of a grizzly bear on his property in 2020 and discarding of the bear’s GPS collar in the Yaak River, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Othel Lee Pearson, 80, appeared today for arraignment on an amended information charging him with tampering with evidence, a felony, and with failure to report taking of grizzly bear, a misdemeanor. Pearson then pleaded guilty to both charges. Pearson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the evidence tampering charge and a maximum of six months in prison and a $25,000 fine on the failure to report charge.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided at the plea hearing. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for June 6. Pearson was released pending further proceedings.
A plea agreement filed in the case calls for the government and defendant to jointly recommend to the court a sentence of three years of probation and an $8,000 fine, which is the restitution amount for illegally killing a grizzly bear under Montana state statute. In exchange for guilty pleas, the United States agrees not to prosecute another individual in connection with the taking of the grizzly bear, and Pearson agrees to cooperate with the United States regarding the skull of a second grizzly bear discovered on National Forest System lands near his property.
As alleged in amended court documents, on Nov. 19, 2020, Pearson shot and killed a sow grizzly bear on his residential property, using a .270 rifle. Pearson cut a GPS collar that had been fitted to the bear and discarded the collar nearby in the Yaak River. Pearson also cut paws, ear tags and an identifying lip tattoo from the bear carcass. Pearson then concealed the bear’s claws and an ear tag in a hollowed-out tree on National Forest System land near his residence. As further alleged, meat from the bear was discovered in Pearson’s freezer inside his home. Pearson attempted to and did tamper with these identifying objects to impair the criminal prosecution for failing to report taking of a grizzly bear. Pearson killed the bear either in self-defense, in defense of others or unlawfully. Pearson did not report the killing of the grizzly bear to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within five days of occurrence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Tanner is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation.
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Billings man sentenced to 20 years in prison for producing, possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA -- A Billings man who admitted to coercing a minor girl in New York to make and send him sexually explicit images of herself was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jeffrey Eugene Herbert, 35, pleaded guilty in March 2023 to production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court also ordered restitution of $842.
In court documents, the government alleged that Herbert possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) prior to using minor victims to produce the material for his personal enjoyment.
In June 2022, the parents of a 13-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe 1, in New York reported to law enforcement that their daughter was coerced to self-produce CSAM online through a social media application. An investigation and review of Jane Doe 1’s phone determined that the girl and a user, “amberbaby 14141,” had exchanged nearly 900 communications in June 2022. The user, “amberbaby 14141,” who was later identified as Herbert, was posing as a 14-year-old female and was actively soliciting sexually explicit content from Jane Doe 1. In an attempt to solicit more material from Jane Doe 1, Herbert became increasingly coercive and threatening. He threatened to send the videos that she had sent him to others and said he would “mess ur life up.”
Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Herbert’s residence in October 2022 and collected electronic media. In an interview with law enforcement, Herbert admitted to using the “amberbaby 14141” account to coerce underage girls to produce sexually explicit content. Herbert told law enforcement where CSAM would be located on his cellular phone, and investigators found a hidden application where folders were organized by names of victims. Law enforcement identified potentially 22 minor victims. The content included hundreds of videos and images and reflected minors around the country self-producing CSAM at Herbert’s instruction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Assaults on woman send Lame Deer man to prison for more than three yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man who admitted assaulting a dating partner and using a baton to strike the victim on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation was sentenced today to three years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Curtis Leo Crazymule, 45, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner, assault of a dating partner by strangulation and assault with a dangerous weapon.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Crazymule and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, were at times were in a romantic relationship in 2022. In December 2022, Crazymule, who was drunk, straddled and assaulted the victim as they sat in a parked car. Crazymule used his forearm to strangle the victim. Crazymule was mad because the victim had tried to take the keys from him. Earlier in the year, in January 2022, Crazymule assaulted Jane Doe with a baton, described as a collapsible police baton, by striking her on the head.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case. The FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.
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Missoula felon sentenced to five years in prison for illegally possessing firearmsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man with two prior federal felony convictions was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after he admitted to illegally possessing firearms, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Luke Aldon Hayes, 41, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Hayes had two prior federal felony convictions for firearms-related offenses and was prohibited from possessing guns. On Aug. 9, 2023, while at work in Bonner, Hayes accidently shot himself in the foot and immediately drove to his residence. Law enforcement responded to Hayes’ residence and eventually searched his mother’s car because she was seen moving a black, plastic case from the house to the vehicle. Officers seized the black case, which contained seven handguns. None of the guns had serial numbers and one of them, a .40-caliber pistol, was accompanied by a high-capacity magazine capable of holding 22 rounds of ammunition. In addition, law enforcement recovered additional guns, ammunition and accessories from Hayes in October 2023. In total, law enforcement recovered 14 firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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India-based computer-hacking scam that targeted elderly across the country and stole $150,000 from a Kalispell woman sends Indian national to prison for more than four yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A federal judge today sentenced an Indian national to four years and three months in prison for his role in stealing $150,000 from a Kalispell woman through an international computer-hacking scheme that targeted elderly Americans nationwide and resulted in more than $1.2 million in total losses, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Sukhdev Vaid, 24, of Haryana, India, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court further ordered that upon release from custody, Vaid will be remanded to the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement for deportation and ordered Vaid to pay $1,236,470 restitution.
“It has become all too common for people outside of our country to victimize Montanans, especially as it relates to wire fraud, and get away with it. But not this time. Vaid is going to federal prison due to the sophistication and tenacity of the FBI, for which I am grateful. We will continue to be relentless in tracking down these criminals who prey on our trusting impulses, and we are confident such efforts will result in these fraudsters ending up in the same place as Vaid,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“’Phantom Hacker’ scams layer imposter tech support, financial, and government personas to gain access to someone’s computer and personal information. Sadly, these scams are increasingly targeting our seniors. Adding to the depravity of this particular case is that the scammer traveled overseas to collect victim’s money in person,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “To protect yourself, never click on unsolicited pop-ups, links sent by text message or email, don’t download software at the request of someone you don’t know, and always remember that the government and law enforcement will never call and ask you for money.”
“In an era where innocent folks increasingly fall victim to these types of crimes, I am pleased that our office played an active role in the capture, prosecution, and ultimate conviction of these individuals,” Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said. “While we know that the convictions of Mr. Vaid and Mr. Joseph cannot fully replace the emotional and financial loss experienced by the victims, they do ensure that these individuals will not have the ability to prey upon our citizens during their time of incarceration. It is a reminder to all citizens that these scams occur frequently and can be devastating. I urge everyone to exercise caution; do not allow strangers access to your computer, bank accounts, or personal information,” Heino said.
In a statement to the court, the Montana victim said, “I feel very violated…I have crawled into a shell emotionally and don’t want to be vulnerable in any way. I don’t know who I can safely trust now. I don’t feel safe at all.”
A victim from outside Montana wrote to the court, “I’m driving a 2007 car, and this loss has prevented me from affording a new car. The cost of living keeps going up, which doesn’t help when on a fixed income. I’m not sure I will ever have peace of mind again and trust others. This has cost me more than any monetary loss.”
The government alleged in court documents that a large enterprise originating from India was involved in stealing $1,236,470 from elderly Americans. The Montana case arose in February 2023, when Glacier Bank notified the FBI that Jane Doe, a 73-year-old woman in Kalispell, had been defrauded. The fraudsters tricked Jane Doe into giving them money through a pop-up notice that appeared on Jane Doe’s computer screen. The notice explained that Jane Doe had been “hacked” and for her to call a number for customer support. Jane Doe complied, and fraudsters directed her to remove cash from her bank accounts for safe keeping at the “Fed.” Jane Doe complied and gave $150,000 in cash to the fraudsters.
After learning of the scam, the FBI set up a ruse in which Jane Doe told the fraudsters she still had $50,000 in cash. The FBI arrested Vaid, along with his co-defendant, Eddly Joseph, of Gainesville, Florida, when they traveled to Montana to collect the money. The investigation determined that the fraudsters remotely accessed Jane Doe’s computer, using UltraViewer, which they installed on her computer.
Joseph was sentenced previously to two years and nine months in prison for his conviction in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Feb. 9 was:
Jeffrey Francis Wood, 54, of Livingston, on charges of possession of an unregistered silencer and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wood faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wood was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Park County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-124.
Appearing on Feb. 8 was:
Jason Edwin Dynes, 37, of Red Lodge, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dynes faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Dynes was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-8.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Feb. 6 was:
Jarred Lane Saunders, 26, of Reed Point, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession of stolen firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Saunders faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Saunders was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department, Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Helena Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-17.
Joshua Nzeyiman, 23, of Helena, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nzeyiman faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Nzeyiman was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-1.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto pleading not guilty on Feb. 6 was:
Emily Ann Svoboda, 30, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Svoboda faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years to life of supervised release. Svoboda was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Missoula Police Department and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-8.
Keith Andre Green, 49, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Green faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and five years to life of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearms charge. Green was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Missoula Police Department and the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-8.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Federal jury convicts Box Elder man of sexually abusing two childrenRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A federal jury on Feb. 7 convicted a Box Elder man of sexually abusing two children at a residence on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
After a two-day trial that began on Feb. 6, the jury found the defendant, Shawn Saddler, Sr., 57, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of abusive sexual contact. Saddler faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years of supervised release on the charge of aggravated sexual abuse and a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years of supervised release on the charge of abusive sexual contact.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for June 12. Saddler was detained pending further proceedings.
“There is no greater duty of our office than to hold accountable those who victimize children. Saddler’s crimes against these two young victims were disgraceful and it is a relief that the jury convicted him. While his crimes will always traumatize the victims, I hope they find a small measure of comfort knowing that Saddler won’t be able to harm them again. I thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers and our support team, along with the FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department, for their extraordinary work in investigating and prosecuting this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged in court documents and at trial that in 2021 and 2022 in a residence in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Saddler sexually molested and abused two girls multiple times. Both victims were under the age of 12 years at the time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Billings meth, fentanyl trafficker sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings woman who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl pills in the community after law enforcement found drugs, firearms and cash in a vehicle in which she was an occupant was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Shaynee Renee Gibbs, 45, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in November 2022, Laurel Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of a Cadillac occupied by Gibbs and co-defendant Aaron Meeks. In an initial search of the vehicle, officers located a firearm and drug paraphernalia. Later, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the vehicle and a package Gibbs and Meeks had said they were awaiting. The package contained approximately 3.8 pounds of meth and fentanyl. In the Cadillac, agents located fentanyl pills, a 9mm pistol, a 9mm rifle, multiple rounds of ammunition and $12,461 in cash. Meeks told law enforcement that he and Gibbs were picking up drug packages of meth and fentanyl coming from Arizona for co-defendant Cynthia Pruett. Gibbs told law enforcement that Pruett was distributing large quantities of meth and fentanyl and storing drugs at a storage unit. Pruett was sentenced previously to 15 years and three months in prison for her conviction in the case. Meeks and a third co-defendant, Jacob Taylor West, are pending sentencing for their convictions in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Billings Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, Laurel Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects more than $6 million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
BILLINGS — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today that the District of Montana collected $6,041,422 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023. Of this amount, $1,876,130 was collected in criminal actions and $4,165,292 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the District of Montana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $52,813,479 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, the Department of Justice collected $48,185,752 from Atlantic Richfield Co. and $4,627,717 from Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
“These collections come from both criminals who owe victims money, as well as those who owe debts or civil penalties to the American taxpayer. After we obtain criminal convictions or civil judgments, our office’s financial litigation program is tasked with ensuring money is paid to victims and as these numbers reflect, they have great success. Their service is essential to executing our criminal and civil judgments, and I thank them for their tireless work and dedication to crime victims and the American people,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
Funds collected from civil judgments include:
- $2,940,474 from Dr. David Bellamah and Bellamah Vein & Surgery for settlement of alleged False Claims Act violations.
Funds collected from criminal judgments include:
- $184,457 from Rodolfo “Nick” Gutierrez, Jr., who paid his victims in full, with interest. Gutierrez was convicted of bank fraud in 2010. Collected from real property in Texas which he had transferred without paying his victims.
- $178,814 from Gene Klamert, which included full restitution and a $35,000 fine for defrauding the Bureau of Land Management.
- $100,000 from U.S. Minerals, Inc., which was convicted of negligent endangerment for exposing workers to arsenic at its former Anaconda plant.
- $91,556 from Aaron Grossman, which included full payment of his restitution and a $20,000 fine for false statements to a government agency.
- $66,050 from Anna Niles, who was convicted of wire fraud. Collected in part through turnover of Niles’s non-exempt retirement account.
- $41,482 from Melissa Horner, who was convicted of failing to pay IRS employment taxes.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $485,202 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
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Meth trafficking sends Billings man to prison for six yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to bringing large quantities of methamphetamine from Denver, Colorado, for distribution and trading guns for meth was sentenced today to six years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Paul Andrew Guiot, 45, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in the summer of 2021, officers with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force began investigating Guiot for drug trafficking. Guiot made trips to Denver alone and with his girlfriend, Jaide Alexander, of Billings, to buy drugs. In October 2021, officers served a state search warrant on a trailer where Guiot and Alexander lived. Officers located a small amount of narcotics and several loaded firearms. Guiot admitted to law enforcement that he and Alexander were importing large amounts of meth from Denver. He admitted he regularly traded guns for drugs in Montana and would then take the guns to Colorado to trade for more drugs. Alexander previously was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for her guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Feb. 1was:
Dominic Earl Hall, 42, of Fountain, Colorado, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hall faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Hall was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Billings Police Department and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 22-150.
Steven Scott McGlaughn, 52, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, McGlaughn faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. McGlaughn was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-148.
Appearing on Jan. 30 was:
Kelsi Dorothy Jean Cochran, 31, of Billings, on felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cochran faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Cochran was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-05.
Danielle Lee Knowshisgun, 33, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Knowshisgun faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Knowshisgun was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-11.
Enrique Duke Arena III, 28, of New York City, New York, on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Arena faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release on the bank fraud charge and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft charge. Arena was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Billings Police Department and Bozeman Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-08.
Lucious Machiavelli, 47, of Billings, on charges of theft from a federal firearms licensee, possession of stolen firearms and felon in possession of firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Machiavelli faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Machiavelli was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-12.
Francisco Jose Nava, 30, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nava faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Nava was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-13.
Travis Dean Two Two, Sr., 35, of Lame Deer, on charges of attempted coercion and enticement and attempted sex trafficking of a minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Two Two faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Two Two was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-18.
Dawn Louise Saddler-Lee, aka Dawn Louise Rogeness, 31, of Billings, on charges of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and felon in possession of firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Saddler-Lee faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years in prison on the bank fraud charge and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised on the aggravated identity theft charge. Saddler-Lee was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-16.
Appearing on Jan. 26 was:
Rodney Paul Burke, 58, of Roundup, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Burke faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Burke was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-04.
Appearing on Jan. 25 was:
Schuyler Stewart Zwar, 47, of Spokane, Washington, on charges of false statement during a firearms transaction. If convicted of the most serious crime, Zwar faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Zwar was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-17.
Appearing on Jan. 23 was:
Israel Gonzales-Pacheco, 52, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gonzales-Pacheco faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Gonzales-Pacheco was detained pending further proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations, the Billings Police Department and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-10.
Joshia John Culverson, 18, of Billings, on charges of possession of stolen firearm and possession of firearm with obliterated serial number. If convicted of the most serious crime, Culverson faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Culverson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-06.
Sam Dean Glenn, 34, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Glenn faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Glenn was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-09.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Jan. 30 was:
Jay Neil Heikkila, 81, of Hamilton, on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. If convicted of the most serious crime, Heikkila faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Heikkila was released pending trial. The FBI, Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and Stokes County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.PACER case reference. 24-05.
Michael Davis Bryant, 48, of Spokane, Washington, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bryant faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Bryant was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Flathead Tribal Police, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-31.
Appearing on Jan. 25 was:
Kevin Richard Kuntz, 31, of Bozeman, on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kuntz faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. Kuntz was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bozeman Police Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-02.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Jan. 30 was:
Jordan Jawan Gonzales, 32, of Helena, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gonzales faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release. Gonzales was detained pending further proceedings. The Missouri River Drug Task Force in Bozeman and Helena, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-21.
Travis Lee Brown, 41, of Yakima, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brown faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The Tri-Agency Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-51.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Washington man sentenced to 12 years in prison for trafficking meth, fentanyl in MontanaRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Washington man who admitted to bringing methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills to Montana for distribution was sentenced today to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Ryan Creighton Doak, 49, of Everett, Washington, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Feb. 2, 2023, Doak was the passenger in a vehicle, driven by his girlfriend, that was stopped in Montana. Law enforcement arrested Doak after a Montana Highway Patrol trooper located a device for smoking drugs and a small amount of heroin on Doak. Investigators executed a search warrant on the vehicle and recovered a firearm, more than 100 grams of meth, and nearly 3,000 fentanyl pills. Doak admitted to investigators to making several trips to Montana to distribute controlled substances. The government estimated that Doak brought to Montana 12,000 to 14,000 fentanyl pills and 1.5 to 1.75 pounds of meth in three months.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Meth, fentanyl trafficking in Havre and Billings send Minnesota man to prison for eight yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Minnesota man convicted by a federal jury for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl in Havre and Billings in 2021 was sentenced today to eight years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
After a 2 ½ day trial in September 2023, a jury found Rembrandt Carlos Kemp, 33, of Fridley, Minnesota, guilty of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, as charged in an indictment.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government presented evidence at trial showing that in January 2021, law enforcement began investigating fentanyl distribution in Havre by two individuals identified as Kemp and co-defendant Chantel Azure. Investigators conducted a controlled buy of fentanyl pills from Azure. During the sale, law enforcement observed Azure arrive in a vehicle with two male passengers inside. Agents saw Azure get out of her car, get into another vehicle where the sale occurred, and return to her vehicle with the two men still inside.
Law enforcement then initiated a traffic stop of Azure and her two occupants. Kemp was located in the front passenger seat and his co-defendant, Martaveon Scott, was in the back seat. Azure and Kemp were arrested on warrants and Scott was arrested for providing a false name. Kemp was found with 4.32 grams of actual methamphetamine and a digital scale. Scott was found with 28.43 grams of actual methamphetamine and 100 pills of fentanyl. An additional 2.9 grams of actual meth was found in the trunk of the vehicle along with a .22 caliber AR-15 style rifle. Additionally, $1,378 was found with Kemp and Scott in the car, including the $800 cash used for the controlled buy.
Azure was sentenced to 28 months in prison for her conviction in the case. Scott is pending sentencing for his conviction in the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Tri-Agency Task Force, Havre Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Former Blackfeet Tribal operations manager admits stealing tribal COVID-19 relief fundingRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — The former operations manager for the Blackfeet Tribe today admitted to stealing more than $78,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funding the tribe received by fraudulently submitting requests for repayments to the tribe after falsely claiming to buy COVID-19 supplies, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
James Cameron McNeely, 43, pleaded guilty to theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal funding. McNeely faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 6. McNeely’s release was continued pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that from about October 2021 until October 2022, McNeely, while employed as the Blackfeet Tribe’s operations manager, submitted requests for repayment to the tribe, and received such payments, after falsely claiming to purchase COVID-19 supplies on behalf of the tribe from Amazon. In reality, McNeely never purchased the supplies, and he was not entitled to the money he claimed and received, which totaled approximately $78,415. The tribe reimbursed McNeely with checks issued from the bank account containing American Rescue Plan Act funds, which were allocated to the tribe following a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Bank fraud scheme that stole thousands of dollars from multiple Montana banks sends Texas man to prison for four yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Texas man who admitted stealing more than $100,000 from Montana banks as part of an organized group that used forged checks and stolen identities to defraud banks was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $103,149 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Shanetwann Clayton Waldon, 46, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that Waldon, working with several co-defendants, traveled from Texas to Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to pass fraudulent checks at smaller financial institutions. Waldon targeted rural areas because they were a “little ‘country’ and the bank process was slower than in Texas.” In 2022 and 2023, Waldon made at least four trips to Montana, and on 10 occasions, entered a new bank and stole thousands of dollars. Waldon presented a fake identity to evade detection by law enforcement and used forged instruments to create debts in the name of others. In Montana, Waldon targeted banks in Hamilton, Bozeman, Billings and Missoula. He persisted in the scheme months after his initial co-defendants had been arrested. In total, Waldon and his codefendants stole $141,822 from 30 bank branches in three states. Waldon’s total amount owed of $103,149 is payable to six Montana banks, including First Interstate Bank, TrailWest Bank, First Security Bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, Farmers State Bank and Western Security Bank.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, police departments in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston, and Laurel, Montana, the Yellowstone County (Montana) Sheriff’s Office; police departments in Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, the Bannock County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police; and police departments in Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, and the Teton County (Wyoming) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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Wyoming man sentenced to 12 years in prison for meth trafficking in Miles City areaRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Wyoming man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the Miles City area was sentenced today to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Elmer Richard Petersen, 45, of Gillette, Wyoming, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in October 2021, law enforcement stopped Petersen in Miles City upon information that he was trafficking drugs. He was released from the scene and his car was seized. Officers executed a state search warrant on the car and recovered a 9mm pistol, approximately three pounds of meth and $10,000 cash. In December 2021, police received a tip that Petersen was back in Miles City. Officers located Petersen at a local hotel and attempted to arrest him on a warrant from Wyoming. Petersen fled but was arrested after a short foot chase. The arresting officer located a .380-caliber pistol in Petersen’s pocket. Petersen was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction in Wyoming.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Highway Patrol and Miles City Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Billings drug trafficker caught with four pounds of meth sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine after getting caught with four pounds of meth was sentenced on Jan. 25 to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Gary Michael Byrd, 52, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to a superseding information charging him with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in 2023, the Billings Police Department received information that Byrd was trafficking meth from his residence. Law enforcement pulled over Byrd and arrested him on an outstanding warrant. During a search, officers found more than $5,600 cash in his pocket. Officers executed a search warrant at a workshop where Byrd was suspected of storing drugs and recovered approximately four pounds of meth from a toolbox. Four pounds of meth is the equivalent of 14,496 doses.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Lame Deer meth trafficker sentenced to 20 years in prison for role in large-scale ring based on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man who admitted to distributing methamphetamine on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation that he received through a large-scale narcotics trafficking organization based on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Joseph John Simpson, 49, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
“Armed with multiple firearms, including a submachine gun, Simpson was a prolific and dangerous drug dealer who trafficked nearly 10 pounds of meth on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. He was considered the best customer of an extensive drug conspiracy based on the Crow Reservation with ties to Washington traffickers and a cartel in Mexico. To put it simply, Simpson is dangerous, and the people of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Nations can rest easier knowing he will spend the next 20 years in federal prison,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
In court documents, the government alleged that from May 2022 to July 2023, law enforcement obtained information from multiple sources that Simpson was distributing meth on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and elsewhere. Simpson is one of approximately two dozen defendants related to a large-scale, multiple-state narcotics trafficking organization centered on multiple properties on the Crow reservation, including one referred to as Spear Siding. Simpson was considered the “best client” of the organization and was a “top dealer” of meth on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, along with being the source for other dealers. Simpson is responsible for the distribution of almost 10 pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of 36,240 doses. The government alleged Simpson was integral to the operation, partially because he made sure his sources got paid.
The government further alleged that on July 13, 2023, a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer in Lame Deer observed a pickup truck that appeared to be stolen and was driven by an individual, later identified as Simpson. Law enforcement arrested Simpson after a high-speed pursuit and found him in possession of two pounds of meth, $9,000 in cash and four firearms, including an Uzi submachine gun. Simpson told law enforcement that the $9,000 was drug proceeds.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Great Falls woman sentenced for possessing stolen mail, wire fraudRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls woman who admitted to possessing stolen mail and wire fraud while working as a postal service contract driver was sentenced today to three years of probation and ordered to pay $5,641 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jacqueline Rose Hydock, 34, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to possession of stolen mail and wire fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that while Hydock was a postal service contract driver responsible for transporting mail between the Black Eagle and Great Falls post offices, she stole checks and gift cards contained in some of the mail items. Hydock used stolen gift cards at Great Falls businesses and altered and deposited checks into her bank accounts in 2022. In letters to the court, one of the victims spent more than five hours and 100 miles of driving to rectify the damage caused after Hydock stole a check he had mailed. Another victim told the court that she is afraid to mail anything of value anymore, and that when her seven-year-old grandson opened his birthday card that no longer had its gift card inside, both were devastated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Service, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Great Falls Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Browning man sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting two persons with a knife on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to holding a knife to a person’s throat and stabbing another person who attempted to intervene was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jaylin John Ridesatthedoor, 21, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to assault with a dangerous weapon and to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on June 28, 2022 near Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Ridesatthedoor pursued a vehicle that was occupied by his ex-girlfriend, identified as Jane Doe, and others. Ridesatthedoor slashed two of the tires, broke out a window and tried to pull Jane Doe from the vehicle. Once Jane Doe left the vehicle, Ridesatthedoor attempted to persuade Jane Doe to go with him. When she refused, Ridesatthedoor started swinging a knife he was holding at Jane Doe and then held it against her throat. Another occupant of the vehicle, John Doe, tried to pull Ridesatthedoor off Jane Doe, and Ridesatthedoor stabbed him in the chest. John Doe was flown to an area hospital for life-saving surgery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Two persons sentenced for intimidation after assault and attempted theft from Fort Belknap Indian Reservation storeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A man and a woman who admitted to intimidation charges after they attempted to steal from a store on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation were sentenced today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Dustin Alan Robbins, 38, and Nicole Lynn Hicks, 37, both transients, pleaded guilty to intimidation in August 2023.
Robbins was sentenced to one year in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
Hicks was sentenced to time served of 262 days, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Nov. 1, 2021, Hicks and Robbins, who are non-Indian, entered the Red Paint Creek Trading Post in Lodge Pole, on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. At the time, both had been excluded from the reservation by the Fort Belknap community for an incident that occurred near Hays in September 2021. Hicks took a 30-pack of beer without paying and left the store. A store employee, who is an Indian person, followed Hicks outside. Hicks put the beer on the ground as she was going through a fence. The store employee went to retrieve the beer and picked it up.
The government further alleged that Robbins assaulted the employee and threatened to burn down the store. After learning of the theft, the store manager, also an Indian person, went outside and saw Robbins assaulting the employee. The store manager yelled that she had called the police and picked up a large rock to defend the employee. Robbins stopped the assault and ran away with Hicks. As they were leaving, Hicks kept screaming and Robbins yelled threats, including that he was with the mafia and was going to burn down the store. Tribal police located Robbins and Hicks at a home on the reservation, despite their prior exclusion, and removed them from the reservation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
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Meth, fentanyl trafficking send Great Falls man to prison for 13 yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl after his drug distribution led to the near-death of a toddler who ingested a fentanyl pill was sentenced today to 13 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Shacotta Keenan St. Onge, 31, pleaded guilty in June 2023 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that the Russell Country Drug Task Force received information in the fall of 2022, that St. Onge was distributing drugs in the Great Falls area. Law Enforcement obtained meth and fentanyl pills from St. Onge in controlled buys and in February 2023, officers executed a search warrant on St. Onge’s residence and recovered fentanyl pills and meth. In April 2023, St. Onge sold fentanyl to the mother of a two-year-old girl. The pills were scattered about the mother’s residence, and the child ingested a pill, leading to her hospitalization and near death.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. Homeland Security Investigations, the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Great Falls Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Hardin felon sentenced to three years in prison for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Hardin felon who illegally possessed firearms and used them to kill eagles and sell their parts for profit was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Harvey Alvin Hugs, 60, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to felon in possession of firearms.
Hugs’ sentence is to run concurrently to a three-year prison sentence he received in U.S. District Court in South Dakota for conviction of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act because his crimes there were deemed as relevant conduct to his firearms offense.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Hugs was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was convicted in 2002 of felony involuntary manslaughter in U.S. District Court in Montana and was sentenced in 2014 for two separate state felony convictions in Big Horn County. Hugs illegally possessed firearms and used them to kill eagles and sell their parts for profit. Hugs engaged in this conduct for more than a year and sold multiple eagle parts to the same informant. When law enforcement executed a search warrant of Hugs’ property in March 2021, officers recovered ammunition in his home; a loaded rifle, spent shells, ammunition and eagle parts in his white Chevrolet Silverado; and another rifle, two boxes of ammunition, spent shells and eagle feathers in his red Chevrolet Silverado. The investigation recovered body parts from 21 different eagles.
Hugs was charged and convicted in a jury trial in U.S. District Court in South Dakota on three counts of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act for the sale and shipment of eagle parts to the informant. Hugs was sentenced to one year in prison on each count, to run consecutively, and ordered to pay $70,000 restitution. Hugs has appealed the restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Billings bank robbery sends Lame Deer man to prison for more than five yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man who admitted to robbing a Billing bank while armed with a knife and attempting to flee on a city bus was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Elmer Brady, 68, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to bank robbery.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged that on March 23, Brady entered Stockman Bank in downtown Billings, approached a teller and told her, “I already took care of your security guard.” Brady then wrote on a deposit slip, “This is a …” with the last word being unreadable. Brady slid the note to the teller and demanded $9,000 or else he would kill her. The teller told law enforcement that Brady said he was armed with a weapon and would use it if she didn’t give him the money. Fearing that Brady was going to kill her and others in the bank, the teller gave Brady all the money in her cash drawer, and he left the bank. Brady attempted to leave the area on a City of Billings bus, but a bank guard alerted the bus driver, who ordered Brady to get off. Brady complied and police officers arrested him a short time later as he was walking toward the Billings Public Library. In a search of Brady, officers found a large knife in his jacket pocket and determined he was on state probation. Law enforcement searched Brady’s bag and recovered $6,361 in U.S. currency, a pair of binoculars, rubber gloves and a metal pipe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case. The FBI and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Troy man charged with evidence tampering in grizzly bear killingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Troy man was charged this week with evidence tampering related to the shooting and killing of a grizzly bear on his property in 2020 and the discarding of the bear’s GPS collar in the Yaak River, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
An information filed in U.S. District Court on Jan. 22 charges Othel Lee Pearson, 80, of Troy, with tampering with evidence, a felony, and failure to report taking of grizzly bear, a misdemeanor. Pearson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the evidence tampering charge and a maximum of six months in prison and a $25,000 fine on the failure to report charge.
A court date for Pearson’s appearance has not yet been set. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“As alleged, Pearson discarded a GPS collar on a grizzly bear and hid the bear’s claws and an ear tag in an attempt to avoid criminal prosecution for unlawfully killing a grizzly bear. Such conduct is illegal and, as shown here, will result in the prosecution of a federal felony,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The parties informed the court that there is a plea agreement in the matter, and it is anticipated that Pearson has agreed to plead guilty to both charges in the information. The plea agreement calls for the government and defendant to jointly recommend a sentence of three years of probation and an $8,000 fine. In exchange for guilty pleas, the United States agrees not to prosecute another individual in connection with the taking of the grizzly bear, and Pearson agrees to cooperate with the United States regarding the skull of a second grizzly bear discovered on National Forest System lands near his property.
As alleged in court documents, on Nov. 19, 2020, Pearson shot and killed a sow grizzly bear on his residential property, using a .270 rifle. Pearson cut a GPS collar that had been fitted to the bear and discarded the collar nearby in the Yaak River. Pearson also cut paws, ear tags and an identifying lip tattoo from the bear carcass. Pearson then concealed the bear’s claws and an ear tag in a hollowed-out tree on National Forest System land near his residence. As further alleged, Pearson tampered with these identifying objects to impair the criminal prosecution for the unlawful killing of the grizzly bear. Pearson did not report the killing of the grizzly bear to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within five days of occurrence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Tanner is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation.
PACER case reference. 24-4.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Helena man sentenced for defrauding Department of Veterans Affairs of healthcare benefitsRead the Press Release
HELENA — A Helena man who admitted to falsely claiming to have served in the U.S. Navy so he could receive healthcare benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was sentenced today to three years of probation, with 180 days of home confinement, and ordered to pay $46,075 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Patrick John McKenna, 66, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to healthcare fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in August 2021, McKenna applied for healthcare benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Health Administration and indicated on his application that he had served with the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 1984. Based on his representation of military service, McKenna was approved for healthcare benefits and received VA-funded counseling services. McKenna then applied for additional benefits with the VA Veterans Benefits Administration based on claimed service-related disabilities. VBA representatives searched multiple record systems and were unable to find any record of McKenna’s service.
In an interview with agents from the VA Office of Inspector General, McKenna admitted that he did not serve in the U.S. Navy and that he had applied for healthcare benefits because of the high cost of private healthcare. Agents determined that McKenna’s scheme resulted in a loss of $39,200 to the VHA and $6,975 to the Helena Veteran Center, for a total loss of $46,075.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shannon L. Clarke and Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case. The VA Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.
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Lame Deer man sentenced to 14 years in prison for shooting, killing man on Northern Cheyenne Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after he admitted to shooting and killing another man in 2022 on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Terence Arturo Limberhand, 32, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to voluntary manslaughter.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court also ordered $8,000 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that on the night of June 21, 2022, Limberhand was driving a four-wheeler and approached the victim, identified as John Doe, who was standing outside of a house near Lame Deer. Limberhand had a dispute with John Doe and an affiliate, leading Limberhand to believe that he and his family may be in danger. Limberhand shot John Doe multiple times before fleeing on the four-wheeler. John Doe was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Five days later, Limberhand went to a ranch outside of Lame Deer and told individuals there that he had been threatened. Bureau of Indian Affairs officers arrested Limberhand a short time later.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Illegal possession of gun sends Billings felon to prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings felon who admitted to illegally possessing a gun after he lied to law enforcement about his identity because of outstanding warrants was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Patrick Lee Tellez, 50, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Dec. 30, 2022 in Billings, a Montana Highway Patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on a speeding car in which Tellez was a passenger. Tellez lied about his identity because he had outstanding warrants. Tellez refused the trooper’s order to get out of the vehicle and had to be tazed. When Tellez did get out of the car, the trooper saw a pistol that had been shoved into the passenger seat. Tellez had six prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case. The Montana Highway Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Crow Agency meth trafficker sentenced to five years in prison for role in large conspiracy based on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Crow Agency man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine as part of a large, multiple-state conspiracy that was based on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jeffrey Prettypaint, 30, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court allowed Prettypaint to self- surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
In court documents and in court, the government alleged that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, investigated a large-scale, multiple-state narcotics trafficking organization that was centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one known as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations and the Billings community from about January 2022 to March 2023. Prettypaint is one of approximately two dozen defendants charged in the conspiracy and was considered to be in the mid-level of the conspiracy.
The government alleged that Prettypaint was directly involved with major players above him in the drug distribution ring and could go to Spear Siding and other property to get meth. In February of 2023, Prettypaint sent the following text message to one of the main co-conspirators and suppliers:
“..we picked up 3oz this morning but we need 4oz, Hahaha, ask [co-conspirator] if he can tip me hahaha 3+3+4=10 zips in 5 days, and Tell [co-conspirator 2] may I please have an Xmas bonus or some crystal tips. Pretty sure [co-conspirator 3] n I clesring [sic] a quarter pound a day not. Everyone coming to us.”
Prettypaint also was aware of a co-conspirator having a “safe house” where they could get fentanyl and meth. In September 2022, Prettypaint told an individual that the person could buy a pound of meth from Spear Siding for $6,000. The individual went to Spear Siding and purchased a half a pound of meth for $3,000. Further, Prettypaint excelled at dealing meth and suggested in his own messages ways to make it better. In discussing expanding the business with Prettypaint, a top co-conspirator told Prettypaint to be thinking about a “few other peeps who might want to purchase or who can be great distributors,” as well other locations. Prettypaint responded that they needed to “expand to other locations and start using cash apps.” Throughout the investigation, law enforcement determined that Prettypaint was being supplied meth from sources for Spear Siding and was redistributing meth.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Missoula felon sentenced to prison for illegal possession of firearmsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man with felony convictions was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Heath Lynn Schmoeckel, 42, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to two counts of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in January 2022, law enforcement responded to a single vehicle crash and located Schmoeckel in a ditch near Interstate 90. Officers located a bandana containing a pistol nearby. Schmoeckel told officers he took the pistol from the crash and tried to dispose of it. The government further alleged that in August 2022, Montana probation officers responded to Schmoeckel’s workplace, examined his vehicle and saw an AR-15 rifle on the passenger seat. Schmoeckel had the keys to the vehicle in his possession. In both instances, Schmoeckel was on supervision for prior felony offenses. Schmoeckel was prohibited from possessing firearms because of two state convictions for felony drug crimes.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Lowney prosecuted the case. The Montana Highway Patrol, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, Missoula Police Department and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Box Elder man admits assaulting woman on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man admitted today to assaulting a woman at his residence on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in 2021, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Gabriel Evan Jordan, 26, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Gabriel faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 30. Jordan was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on Nov. 16, 2021, the victim, identified as Jane Doe, visited Jordan at his residence. Jordan held Jane Doe down and assaulted her, which resulted in serious bodily injury.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer S. Clark and Stephanie D. Robles are prosecuting the case. The FBI, Rocky Boy’s Police Department, Hill County Sheriff’s Office and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Assaults, robbery send Browning woman to prison for almost five yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning woman who admitted to stabbing a man, biting a federal correctional officer and robbing a local store in three separate incidents on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to four years and eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jada Mulon Wells, 21, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault on a federal officer and robbery.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged the three separate crimes involved different victims and occurred over a few months in late 2022 and early 2023.
In the first assault, the government alleged that on Nov. 5, 2022, Wells, who had been drinking alcohol, went to a family member’s home in Browning and assaulted the victim, identified as John Doe, over a bottle of alcohol. Wells struck John Doe, kicked him in the head while he was on the ground and stabbed him four times. John Doe was transported to a local hospital then flown to Benefis hospital in Great Falls where he underwent life-saving surgery.
In the second assault, the government alleged that after Wells’ arrest on Nov. 6, 2022, she was incarcerated at the Browning Jail, a federal correctional facility operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. While being processed into the jail, Wells bit the hand of Jane Doe, a federal correctional officer, as she was being escorted to a holding cell. The bite broke the skin of Jane Doe’s hand.
In the robbery, the government alleged that on Jan. 13, 2023, Wells went with another person to a quilting store in Browning to try to sell a buffalo skull. The cashier, identified as Jane Doe 2, declined to buy the buffalo skull. Wells became agitated and ultimately grabbed a pair scissors. Holding them at waist high, Wells demanded that Jane Doe 2 open the till. Jane Doe 2 complied, and Wells took almost $300 from the till and stuffed it into her jacket.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, BIA and Cut Bank Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Texas man admits threatening to shoot neighboring guest while staying at Browning motel on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Texas man accused of threatening to shoot a neighboring guest while both were staying at a motel in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, admitted to a criminal charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Ronnie Wayne Bone, 57, of Bastrop, Texas, pleaded guilty to intimidation. Bone faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $50,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 29. Bone was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 19, 2022, Bone, a non-Indian, was staying at a motel in Browning while on a motorcycling tour with a friend. The victim, identified as John Doe, who is a member of the Blackfeet Indian Tribe, and his family also were staying at the motel. Late that night, an unknown man knocked on the door to Bone’s room and then walked away. Bone, who was intoxicated, came out of his room and immediately started verbally accosting John Doe, who was outside his own room several doors away from Bone’s. Doe, who had been cleaning out his car, tried to explain to Bone that he was not connected to the man who had knocked on Bone’s door. The government further alleged that Bone continued to yell at Doe, telling him that he was from Texas and in Texas they shoot people like him. Bone called Doe racial slurs and then retrieved a .40-caliber pistol. Bone pointed the gun at Doe and his wife, who came outside to see what was happening. Bone continued to spew vitriolic and racist comments while threating to shoot them.
In addition, the government alleged that when law enforcement arrived, officers recovered a pistol loaded with a .40-caliber hollow point bullet from Bone’s room. Bone claimed he was lying in his bed minding his own business when someone started beating on his door and being obnoxious. Bone told officers he grabbed his gun and was like, “hey what’s up dude?” He further claimed Doe used racist comments against him, that he felt threatened and that he did not point the weapon at anyone. Bone’s claims were disputed by several independent witnesses, who saw Bone’s intimidation of Doe and heard his racist comments while threatening Doe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sherriff’s Office, and FBI conducted the investigation.
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New Mexico man suspected of stealing items from Montana Historical Society arraigned on chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A New Mexico man suspected of stealing items of significant historical value from the Montana Historical Society, including letters by the wife of renowned Western artist Charlie “C.M.” Russell, and then selling them on eBay appeared on Jan. 16 for arraignment on charges, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Brian Anthony D’Ambrosio, 49, Sante Fe, New Mexico, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with theft of major artwork, interstate transportation of stolen property and wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, D’Ambrosio faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. D’Ambrosio, who appeared by video, was released pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that from about April 2022 to September 2023, D’Ambrosio stole objects of cultural heritage that were more than 100 years old and worth more than $5,000 from the Montana Historical Society, a museum located in Helena. D’Ambrosio, while claiming to conduct research at the Montana Historical Society, stole items of significant historic value, including letters written by Nancy Russell, the wife of Western artist Charlie “C.M.” Russell. As alleged in the indictment, D’Ambrosio then sold and attempted to sell the items on eBay for a profit. D’Ambrosio fraudulently induced buyers to purchase the items by omitting that he had stolen them from the Montana Historical Society, making it appear as if he had authority to sell and transfer the items to others when he did not.
An indictment is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Jennifer S. Clark are prosecuting the case. The FBI and Helena Police Department conducted the investigation.
PACER case reference. 23-20.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl
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Browning man admits assaulting elderly small business owner on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of beating an elderly small business owner while demanding money admitted to an assault charge on Jan. 16, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Frederick Melvin Noon, Jr., 39, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Noon faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 29. Noon was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that on March 21, 2023, Noon assaulted the victim, identified as John Doe, a small business owner who is in his 70s, while demanding money. Noon was intoxicated when he walked into the business and asked for money. At first, Doe refused, and Noon became progressively angrier. Doe eventually gave Noon a few one-dollar bills, but Noon was not satisfied. Noon wanted Doe to go into a storeroom for the “other money,” and Doe told him no. Noon grabbed Doe from a chair and threw him to the floor. Noon then grabbed Doe by the face and threw him into the back room. Noon took the money Doe had handed over and left. After the assault, Doe called for help and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services officers responded. Officers arrested Noon about 20 minutes later at a convenience store. Doe was transported to a Blackfeet Hospital and then transferred to another hospital for treatment of injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation.
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Helena man suspected of threatening to attack Helena Public Schools building admits to illegally possessing homemade bombs, silencerRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Helena man today admitted to illegally possessing homemade bombs and a silencer after being accused of attempting to attack a Helena Public Schools building, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Logan Sea Pallister, 25, pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered destructive devices and to possession of an unregistered silencer. Pallister faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on each charge.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for May 22. Pallister was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in May 2022, the Helena Police Department received information from an individual that Pallister possessed multiple bombs, had access to multiple firearms and had been making threats of committing an attack at a local high school. The person also indicated that Pallister discussed a desire to commit a Columbine-style attack at the high school and planned to use pipe bombs in addition to firearms. Further, Pallister had shown the individual numerous firearms and a large amount of ammunition that he kept in his car and had purchased a black trench coat and the same type of duffle bag used by the shooters in the attack at Columbine High School. The government also alleged that Pallister showed the individual a small propane cannister with a fuse sticking out of one end that he had retrieved from his car and had told the person it was a bomb he had made. Pallister also threatened to kill the individual if the person told anyone about the device. The individual reported the encounter to law enforcement.
On May 31, 2022 at about 4 a.m., police officers arrested Pallister as he was walking toward his car from his residence, wearing a black trench coat and carrying a bag. During a search of Pallister, officers found eight firearms that were concealed on his person. Law enforcement served search warrants on his home and car. In Pallister’s car, officers found nine additional firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, loaded magazines, firearm accessories, a Fram oil filter that appeared to have been modified to function as a homemade silencer and a green ammunition can that contained four suspected homemade pipe bombs. In Pallister’s residence, officers found additional firearms and ammunition, firearm components, money order documents, receipts and online orders related to chemicals, suspected chemical precursors for making explosives and a suspected homemade explosive mixture known as flash powder.
A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives expert examined the pipe bombs, determined that they contained an explosive mixture that, when ignited, would result in an explosion, and concluded the four pipe bombs were destructive devices. An examination of the Fram oil filter found it had a threaded adapter attached to one end, multiple rounds had been previously fired through it and that it was intended to diminish the sound of a firearm, making the device a silencer. The suppressor and destructive devices were not registered as required by law and their possession is a violation of federal firearms laws.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Helena Police Department, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Lewis & Clark County Attorney’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Commercial truck driver admits trafficking charge after trying to haul approximately 30 kilos of cocaine across Montana border into CanadaRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A commercial truck driver from Canada today admitted to a cocaine trafficking crime after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine in watermelon pallets as the driver was attempting to enter Canada at the Montana border, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Kareshmaa Kaur Jagroop, 42, of Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine as charged in a superseding information. Jagroop faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for May 23. Jagroop was released on conditions to a treatment center in Montana pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in July 2021, a commercial truck was northbound on Interstate 15 near the Sweetgrass Port of Entry in Toole County. As it approached the border in the outbound lane, Customs and Border Protection officers signaled the truck to stop, but the driver ignored the signal and continued past the outbound booth. Officers chased down the truck, which eventually stopped, and had the driver, Jagroop, reverse the truck back to the outbound booth for inspection. As part of the inspection, Jagroop drove through a screening machine, which showed potential anomalies in the trailer. Officers conducted a manual search and unloaded the contents with a forklift. Officers removed two pallets of watermelons and saw a plastic bag that contained approximately 30 kilograms, which is about 66 pounds, of cocaine. During an interview, Jagroop told officers she entered the United States about one week prior to the stop and delivered produce to supermarkets in Oregon and California. She eventually admitted that she was hauling cocaine for a group in Canada.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
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Child pornography on cell phone sends Billings man to prison for more than four yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for conviction of a child pornography crime after he and another individual were arrested when they arrived at a park to meet a fictitious teenage boy, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jeffrey Mayes Wilkerson, 40, pleaded guilty in May to possession of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on July 14, 2022, in Billings, an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 13-year-old boy received a message on a social media platform from Wilkerson’s co-defendant, Kyle Ray Schwindt. Communications between the undercover and Schwindt turned sexual and were later connected to Wilkerson. The communications led to setting up a meeting in a park on July 15, 2022. Officers arrested Schwindt and Wilkerson when they arrived. Investigators served a search warrant on Wilkerson’s cellphone and found 172 files depicting child sex abuse material. Schwindt was sentenced previously to five years and 11 months in prison for his conviction in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Bozeman Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Billings man sentenced to 25 years in prison for role in large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy based on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and a firearms crime as part of large-scale conspiracy in which he obtained pounds of the drug from properties on the Crow Indian Reservation for distribution in the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and Billings communities was sentenced on Jan. 11 to 25 years in prison, to be followed by eight years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Roderick Plentyhawk, 38, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
“Plentyhawk was among the top drug dealers in this extensive drug conspiracy and worked with out-of-state traffickers in Washington with connections to one of Mexico’s cartels to bring this highly-addictive poison to two Montana Indian reservations and the Billings community. He dealt in large, pound quantities and carried guns for protection. He belongs in federal prison, which is exactly where he will be for the next quarter century. I am proud of the extraordinary work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners in pursuing and shutting down this far-ranging conspiracy,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged in court documents and in court that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, investigated a large-scale, multiple-state narcotics trafficking organization that was centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one known as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations and the Billings community from about January 2022 to March 2023. Plentyhawk is one of approximately two dozen defendants charged in the conspiracy and was one of the main individuals affiliated with the investigation.
Plentyhawk would receive meth from the Crow Reservation locations and redistribute it in the Northern Cheyenne and Billings communities. He also provided meth to other drug dealers, including to some co-conspirators. In addition, investigators obtained meth from Plentyhawk in controlled purchases. The investigation determined that Plentyhawk was selling significant amounts of meth and was indebted to a main source of supply for somewhere between $20,000 to $30,000, which is the equivalent of approximately four to five pounds of meth. Plentyhawk was directly involved with the most major players in the conspiracy, including those who were bringing drugs from Washington to Spear Siding. Proceeds from the drugs went to Washington and eventually to Mexico. The government further alleged that Plentyhawk went to Spear Siding nine to 10 times, purchased pound quantities and carried guns in his backpack.
When federal law enforcement officers arrested Plentyhawk on March 29, 2023 following a high-speed chase in Billings, Plentyhawk had a stolen, loaded 9mm pistol on his person. Plentyhawk had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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East Glacier man sentenced to 41 months in prison for two separate assaults on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — An East Glacier man who admitted to beating one victim and stabbing another victim in two separate assaults on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced on Jan. 10 to a total of 41 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Frank David Francis Boy, 25, pleaded guilty in 2023 to assault with a dangerous weapon and to assault resulting in serious bodily injury for separate incidents.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the first assault, Boy was drinking alcohol with friends in East Glacier on Sept. 18, 2022. The group then went for a drive and ended up in Browning at a house party, where the victim, identified as John Doe lived. Boy and Doe arm-wrestled and then got into a wrestling match, which led to a disagreement. Boy and his companions were told to leave, but Boy refused. Boy’s companions pulled Boy from the residence, and as they were walking away, Boy turned around and began to engage with Doe. Boy walked toward Doe, who was backing up, and stabbed Doe several times in the shoulder and back areas. Doe was flown to a Great Falls hospital for treatment of injuries.
In the second assault, the government alleged that on March 22, 2023, Boy and others were drinking alcohol and driving around when they drove toward East Glacier. The victim, identified as John Doe 2, was reclined in the front passenger seat and fell asleep. Another passenger told Boy that Doe 2 would assault her later and this may have initiated the assault on the victim. Boy stopped the vehicle in the middle of an intersection and began assaulting Doe 2, striking him repeatedly in the face and causing serious injuries. Doe 2 ultimately was flown to a Great Falls hospital for treatment of injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the cases. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigations.
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Illegal possession of firearm sends Billings felon to prison for 16 monthsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings felon who admitted to illegally possessing a rifle after fleeing law enforcement was sentenced today to 16 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Devin Miranda American Horse, 34, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in February 2023, while conducting routine night patrol, a Billings police officer saw four or five people sitting in a car outside of a residence. Before the officer made any contact, the driver got out and fled. The officer chased but did not catch the driver. As he ran by the car, the officer recognized American Horse as the front seat passenger. The car fled the scene and was stopped a short time later. The only remaining occupant, who was the owner and now driver, told officers that American Horse had fled with a rifle. Police found American Horse hiding in some bushes and a rifle nearby. American Horse was arrested on a parole violation for a 2019 felony drug conviction in Yellowstone County. She was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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