District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Meth trafficking sends Kalispell man to prison for 14 yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Kalispell man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the Flathead community after he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase before getting caught was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Kenneth Martin Chandler, 43, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in April 2021, the Flathead County Street Crimes Unit attempted a traffic stop of Chandler’s vehicle. Chandler then led officers on a high-speed chase through Kalispell before eventually crashing into another vehicle. Chandler fled the scene on foot but was soon arrested. In a later search of Chandler’s vehicle, officers located meth, heroin, drug paraphernalia, more than $9,000 in U.S. currency, and two assault-style rifles. Law enforcement also learned that Chandler was distributing meth in the Flathead area.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Northwest Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force 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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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared recently 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 Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Nov. 14 was:
Autumn Rose Rider, 28, of Browning, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rider faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Rider was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-06.
Appearing on Nov. 7 was:
Thomasine Tachelle Wahl Salway, 21, of Browning, on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Salway faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Salway was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-92.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on
Nov. 14 was:
Aubreh Lakhaie Barnes, 34, and Aurelia Dawn Lang, 49, both of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-128.
Jennifer Hall, 42, of Livingston, on charges of conspiracy to possess 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 Missouri River High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-130.
Appearing on Nov. 7 was:
Eric Stephen Hadnott, 44, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hadnott faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Hadnott was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-129.
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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Crow Agency woman sentenced to seven years in prison for role in large-scale, meth trafficking investigationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Crow Agency woman who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in a large-scale, multi-state drug operation that was centered on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Carly Joy James, 42, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, investigated a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking operation centered on the distribution of meth involving 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 Indian Reservations. James was one of the individuals affiliated with the investigation. The government further alleged that James was involved in selling meth obtained from Spear Siding and distributing it in the Billings area in 2022. In January, James was pulled over for a traffic violation, and a search of her vehicle revealed a firearm and approximately eight grams of 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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Browning man sentenced to more than five years for shooting, wounding another man during argumentRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to shooting and wounding another man during an argument in Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Johnathan Charles Gifford Oldchief, 24, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on April 7, Oldchief spent the evening drinking with others at a residence in Browning. Shortly after midnight, five persons left the house in a vehicle driven by Oldchief. After driving less than two blocks, Oldchief and the victim, identified as John Doe, got into a verbal argument. Oldchief stopped driving and another person intervened. Oldchief ordered Doe out of the vehicle and Doe complied. After driving a short distance, Oldchief stopped the car, grabbed his 9mm pistol from the center console and got out. Oldchief approached Doe and shot him point blank in the abdomen. Oldchief returned to his car and left the scene. Emergency services responded and Doe was flown to a hospital in Great Falls where he underwent lifesaving 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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Browning man sentenced to 15 months in prison for assaulting corrections officer at Bureau of Indian Affairs jailRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to trying to put a federal corrections officer in a chokehold while incarcerated at the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ jail on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 15 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Joseph Ernest Potts, 33, pleaded guilty in June to assault on a federal officer.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 15, 2021, Potts was an inmate at the Browning jail, which is a federal correctional facility operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A corrections officer, identified as John Doe, was supervising male inmates as they returned to their cells from the dayroom. Doe saw Potts pacing back and forth between his cell and a cell across the hallway. As Doe began closing Potts’ cell, Potts grabbed Doe around the neck and began struggling with him, attempting to put the officer in a chokehold. Other inmates pulled Potts off the officer. The officer reported pain and discomfort for more than a week after the assault.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Harlem man sentenced to 18 months in prison for drive-by shooting of residence on Fort Belknap Indian reservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Harlem man who admitted to shooting into an occupied house in Fort Belknap Agency on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Tyree Daniel Doney, 22, pleaded guilty in June to assault with a dangerous weapon.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court also ordered $3,900 restitution.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 19, a man, identified as John Doe, was inside his residence with his family, including two children. John Doe heard multiple gunshots, and one bullet lodged inside his residence. John Doe feared that he or his family would be harmed from the drive-by shooting. Law enforcement learned that Doney was in the area at the time of the shooting, and Doney ultimately admitted to firing the gunshots into John Doe’s home. Doney did so, in part, because Doney was upset about a physical fight he had with John Doe four months prior. Officers recovered 9mm casings outside John Doe’s residence, 9mm casings inside Doney’s vehicle and the 9mm firearm inside Doney’s residence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Billings felon sentenced to more than five years in prison for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man with two prior federal felony convictions was sentenced today to five years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised released, for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Robert John Bigback, 28, pleaded guilty in July to prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 9, Bigback’s mother found him sleeping in her house with a gun next to his head. His father brought the firearm, a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, to the United States Federal Probation Office. When Bigback woke up, his mother saw him frantically looking for something where the gun had been. Bigback told his mother he had been using methamphetamine, was paranoid and thought people were after him. Bigback had prior federal felony convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for distribution of meth, and he was prohibited from possessing firearms. Bigback possessed the gun while he was on federal supervised release for the federal convictions. The gun he possessed was stolen, although there was no indication he was involved in the theft.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Probation Office and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation 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 meth trafficker sentenced to 11 years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine after law enforcement found the drug in a backpack he had discarded was sentenced on Monday to 11 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Robert Dean Spearson, 40, pleaded guilty in July to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Nov. 21, 2021, members of the Montana Violent Offenders Task Force attempted to arrest Spearson in Missoula. Spearson fled from officers and was found and arrested in an apartment. The apartment’s owner said Spearson has been in possession of a black backpack. Officers located the backpack and found approximately 77 grams of meth in separate baggies, a digital scale, empty small plastic baggies, a safe key, $660 cash, a laptop that listed Spearson as the user. An empty holster was attached to the outside of the backpack.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Missoula 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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Helena felon sentenced to three years in prison for illegally possessing firearms while employed at pawn shopRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Helena man who admitted to illegally possessing firearms while on state supervision for a felony conviction and working at a pawn shop was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Brandon Wade Kurns, 29, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that from about June through July in 2021, Kurns, a convicted felon on state supervision, was a customer and briefly employed at Modern Pawn in Helena. In both capacities, he possessed firearms and ammunition. An investigation determined that Kurns handled firearms and ammunition inventory and possessed at least eight or more firearms. Kurns was convicted of felony criminal endangerment in 2020 in Lewis and Clark County and was prohibited from possessing firearms. A related investigation of Modern Pawn by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led to the convictions of other defendants on various crimes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The ATF 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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Fort Peck Tribal corrections officer admits deprivation of rights in assault of inmateRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A corrections officer who worked at the Fort Peck Tribe’s detention center admitted today to a civil rights violation for assaulting an inmate, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Devin Gray Hawk, 20, of Poplar, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with deprivation of rights. Gray Hawk 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. The court set sentencing for April 3, 2024. Gray Hawk was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that on April 8, 2022, the Fort Peck Tribe’s Department of Law and Justice contacted the FBI about an assault that day of an inmate, identified as John Doe, by a corrections officer, identified as Gray Hawk, at the Tribe’s Adult Detention Center. While John Doe was shackled and not resisting, Gray Hawk fired his Taser at John Doe and then, while John Doe was sitting on the floor, kicked him in the head, causing John Doe’s head to hit an open metal food tray slot on the cell door. John Doe was treated for injuries at Poplar Community Hospital and returned to the detention center. The government alleged that Gray Hawk, while acting under color of law as a corrections officer, willfully deprived John Doe of the right protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D. Vestal for the District of Montana and Trial Attorney Eric N. Peffley, of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, are prosecuting the case.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Great Falls man fined $70,000 for scheme to defraud MedicaidRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to lying about his income to receive more than $75,000 in Medicaid health care benefits was fined $70,000 and sentenced to three years of probation today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Dustin Tempel, 39, pleaded guilty in June to health care fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court also ordered $75,493 restitution.
In court documents, the government alleged that during an investigation of Temple’s mother, Lynn Temple, for fraudulently inflating construction costs while building a home for a client in Great Falls, investigators learned that Tempel had underreported his income by more than $300,000 during a five-year period. During the period of underreporting, Temple applied for Medicaid, again underrepresenting his actual income. As a result, Temple received $75,493 from Medicaid that he was not entitled to receive from 2017 to 2020. Medicaid is a federal health care benefit program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women and elderly adults with disabilities. Lynn Temple, who was the finance manager for William Tempel Construction, was sentenced in April 2022 to 14 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $415,221 restitution for conviction on wire fraud.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Seeley Lake man sentenced to more than eight years in prison for receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Seeley Lake man who admitted to receiving child pornography after joining a Facebook group was sentenced on Nov. 7 to eight years and six months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Charles Lief Isaacson, 62, pleaded guilty in June to receipt of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in September 2022, Isaacson began communicating on Facebook with a profile he believed belonged to a child under the age of 14. Those communications eventually resulted in Isaacson’s arrest on Oct. 25, 2022, after he arrived at a location in Missoula County to meet the child. An investigation determined that in December 2021, Isaacson joined a Facebook group, called “Sweet Kids,” and was able to receive videos and images of minors involved in sexually explicit conduct. Isaacson also solicited one of the group’s members to send him child pornography outside of the group chat in a manner that would help them avoid detection by law enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Lowney prosecuted the case. The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force 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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Great Falls College student loan fraud scheme sends Cascade woman to prison for a year and a halfRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Cascade woman convicted of illegally receiving approximately $126,000 in federal student aid through a scheme in which she enrolled others in courses at Great Falls College, Montana State University, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Ricci Lea Castellanos, 35, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to aggravated identity theft.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court ordered $68,175 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that between January 2016 and December 2019, Castellanos enrolled unwitting family members and others in online classes at Great Falls College, Montana State University. When doing so, Castellanos, and others, applied for and received federal student aid totaling approximately $126,219, none of which was allowed. In addition, Castellanos and others fraudulently submitted American Indian Tuition Waivers and used false tribal enrollment forms to receive student living expense refunds. Castellanos also forged the signature of a person, Jane Doe 1, to apply for enrollment with Great Falls College and received $2,378 in financial aid into her bank account, which she withdrew in cash. Jane Doe 1 had reported her identity stolen to the Great Falls Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Benjamin D. Hargrove prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General.
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Whitefish interior designer admits defrauding customers of approximately $900,000Read the Press Release
MISSOULA — The owner of an interior design company in Whitefish today admitted charges in a scheme in which she defrauded customers of approximately $900,000 and used the money for personal expenses, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jennifer Michele Helm, aka Jennifer Michele, 45, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to aggravated identity theft. Helm faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the fraud charge and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release for aggravated identity theft.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for March 14, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Helm was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged that Helm, while doing business as Sage Interior Designs, LLC, Interior Design Services, and Jennifer Michele LLC, defrauded at least 12 customers of approximately $900,000 from 2016 through 2023. To execute the scheme, Helm entered into agreements with customers to provide goods and services, usually by promising to order furnishing and fixtures as part of construction and remodeling projects. In some instances, Helm presented her clients with invoices for items she knew she had not ordered and that clients never received. In addition, Helm convinced two clients, a married couple, to give her their credit card number, which she was authorized to make purchases on the couple’s behalf. Rather than make those purchases, Helm used the credit card and directed the proceeds of the transactions into her bank account. When interviewed by the FBI, Helm said she was responsible for any misspent funds. She also admitted she knew the money she obtained using the couple’s credit card was deposited into her personal bank account, but she did not remember how many unauthorized transactions she made with the card.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Kalispell felon sentenced to more than three years in prison for illegal possession of 10 firearms, ammunitionRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Kalispell resident with three felony convictions was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after law enforcement recovered 10 firearms from his home after three incidents involving firearms, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jose Angel Estrello, 40, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Estrello had three prior felony convictions, including two convictions for robbery in California, and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. In July 2022, Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired near McMannamy Draw and met with Estrello. Estrello was hostile toward the deputies and made comments about getting an AR-15 to defend himself against law enforcement. The next day, sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance involving a weapon in a campground. Deputies learned that Estrello exchanged words with another person about a parking spot, pulled a handgun out of his pocket and stated, “This is how we take care of this in Compton.” Deputies responded to a third incident involving road rage near Kalispell and determined that Estrello had pointed a gun at another family. In August 2022, law enforcement searched Estrello’s residence and located 10 firearms, seven magazines and assorted ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office 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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Fatal crash on Blackfeet Indian Reservation sends Great Falls man to prison for more than three yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to driving while under the influence of alcohol when he crashed his vehicle near Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and killed his passenger, was sentenced today to three years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Emil Saunders Day Chief, 42, pleaded guilty in May to involuntary manslaughter.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on July 19, 2022, Day Chief was driving and picked up a passenger, identified as Jane Doe, in Heart Butte. Soon thereafter, a witness saw Day Chief drive by at approximately 90 mph. Day Chief’s car then veered off the road, overcorrected and rolled two times before coming to a stop on the driver’s side. Jane Doe went through the windshield and the vehicle rolled over her. Witnesses got Day Chief out of the vehicle, and an ambulance took him to the hospital in Browning. Law enforcement found Jane Doe deceased in the road. Officers saw beer cans in the car and scattered around the scene and an empty jar from a marijuana dispensary. An investigation determined that Day Chief had a blood alcohol content of .335 percent and that his blood was positive for THC. Jane Doe died of blunt force injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Montana Highway Patrol and Glacier 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 Nov. 2 was:
Nicholas David Decker, 33, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Decker faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Decker was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-114.
Armondo Anthony Ronquillo, 37, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ronquillo faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ronquillo was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-64.
Appearing on Nov. 1 was:
Billy Joe Chavez, 40, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Chavez faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Chavez was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-19.
Appearing on Oct. 26 was:
Joshua David Heafner, 39, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hafner faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Heafner was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-109.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Oct. 31 was:
Nicholas Geoffrey Combs, 28, of Portland, Oregon, on charges of distribution child pornography, receipt of child pornography and transportation of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Combs faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Combs was detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-44.
Appearing on Oct. 30 was:
Efren Zanabriga Zuniga, 35, of Oaxaca, Mexico, on charges of production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Zuniga faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Zuniga was detained pending further proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations and the Missoula Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-46.
Caleb Gerard Diamond, 24, of Missoula, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Diamond faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Diamond was detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-41.
Appearing on Oct. 27 was:
Bryan Michael Balog, 30, of Missoula, on receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Balog faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Balog was detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-45.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint on Oct. 31 was:
Frank Espinoza, 32, of Venezuela, on charges of improper entry by alien. If convicted of the most serious crime, Espinoza faces a maximum of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Espinoza was detained pending further proceedings. The Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-102.
Fatima Brito, 29, of Venezuela, on charges of improper entry by alien. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brito faces a maximum of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Brito was detained pending further proceedings. The Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-103.
Diana Ruiz-Gomez, 26, of Mexico, on charges of improper entry by alien. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ruiz-Gomez faces a maximum of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Ruiz-Gomez was detained pending further proceedings. The Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-104.
Emilio Fernando Dominguez-Martinez, 24, of Mexico, on charges of improper entry by alien. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dominguez-Martinez faces a maximum of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Dominguez-Martinez was detained pending further proceedings. The Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-105.
Fredy Hernandez-Morales, 28, of Mexico, on charges of improper entry by alien. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hernandez-Morales faces a maximum of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Hernandez-Morales was detained pending further proceedings. The Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-106.
Viridiana Macias-Espinosa, 38, of Mexico, on charges of improper entry by alien. If convicted of the most serious crime, Macias-Espinosa faces a maximum of six months in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release. Macias-Espinosa was detained pending further proceedings. The Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-107.
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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Billings woman admits meth trafficking charge in multi-state drug ring centered on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS—A Billings woman on Nov. 2 admitted to trafficking methamphetamine as part of a large, multiple-state narcotics organization that was centered on the Crow Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Melanie Rose Bloodman, 54, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Bloodman faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for Feb. 28, 2024 and continued Bloodman’s release pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, conducted a large-scale, multiple-state investigation into narcotics trafficking centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply for meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations. Bloodman is one of the individuals associated with the investigation.
Investigators learned that Bloodman’s residence, located near the Spear Siding property, was being used to store and sell meth. In a search of Bloodman’s residence in April, law enforcement found more than one pound of meth.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys are prosecuting 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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Billings felon sentenced to more than three years in prison for illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings woman who had absconded state parole and was arrested selling fentanyl from a Billings motel, was sentenced today to three years and five months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Deana Louann Thomas, 42, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in December 2022, law enforcement received information that Thomas was selling fentanyl with a man from a motel room in Billings. Thomas had absconded parole from the Montana Department of Corrections. Officers knocked on Thomas’ motel room door and arrested her on a warrant. During a search of the room, law enforcement located a .38-caliber revolver under one of the beds and two rounds of .38-caliber ammunition on a nightstand. Thomas admitted that the firearm was given to her for protection. Thomas was convicted in 2019 of felony escape in Yellowstone County and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
The United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Probation and Parole and U.S. Marshals Service 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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Browning man admits sexual abuse, domestic assault chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused in two separate cases of sexually abusing a teenager and of domestic assault on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to charges on Nov. 1, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Merlyn Marceau, 40, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse and to domestic assault by habitual offender. Marceau faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release for the crime of aggravated sexual abuse, and a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release for the crime of domestic assault by habitual offender.
A plea agreement reached in the cases calls for both matters to be sentenced at the same time and for the sentences in each case to run concurrent to each other.
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 March 27, 2024. Marceau was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that on June 27, Marceau sexually abused a 13-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, in a shed at a residence. The government also alleged that on June 24, Marceau and a separate victim, also identified as Jane Doe and with whom he had been in a romantic relationship, began arguing. Marceau assaulted Jane Doe by striking her repeatedly. Marceau disclosed the assault to the FBI in an unrelated interview. Marceau had two prior domestic assault convictions from Browning Tribal Court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Blackfeet Child Protective Services investigated the sexual abuse case, and the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the domestic assault case.
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Wolf Point man sentenced to more than 11 years in prison after armed carjackings spanning Yellowstone and Cascade countiesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Wolf Point man who admitted to attempted carjacking and a firearms crime stemming from a violent crime spree that began with an armed carjacking in Yellowstone County and ended in Cascade County with another carjacking was sentenced today to 11 years and two months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Santana Cruz Ledeau, 27, pleaded guilty in May to attempted carjacking and to using, carrying and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court also ordered $500 restitution.
There is no parole in the federal system, however a defendant may be eligible for a reduced sentence not exceeding 15 percent of the overall sentence by earning credit for good behavior.
“Ledeau terrorized two communities during his armed carjacking rampage, causing schools and residents to shelter-in-place and putting people in fear of having their vehicles stolen at gunpoint. It is a miracle no one was killed or seriously injured. But Ledeau still inflicted severe trauma on the victims he randomly attacked, and he nearly ran over two deputies with the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office as they were attempting to stop him,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “Ending Ledeau’s crime spree and holding him accountable would not have happened without the extraordinary dedication to public safety by local, state, and federal law enforcement, many of whom jeopardized their own lives to bring Ledeau to justice. I am grateful to and proud of the Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Attorney’s Office, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office, Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their outstanding work on this case.”
The government alleged in court documents that on Sept. 30, 2022, in Billings, Ledeau accosted a woman as she tried to get out of her car in a hospital parking lot. Ledeau pointed a gun at her, demanded keys and sprayed pepper spray her in the face. He then carjacked the woman’s vehicle and fled. The woman described the gun as “red with some silver.” Law enforcement found the car a few days later in Musselshell County.
The government further alleged that a few weeks later, on Oct. 17, 2022, Ledeau and a female companion were driving around Great Falls in a white truck that was later discovered to be stolen from North Dakota. Ledeau got into a fight outside a motel and fired a pistol into the air. He fled the scene and was involved in a hit-and-run car accident. Great Falls police were unable to stop Ledeau, who drove south on Interstate 15 toward Ulm. When he neared Ulm, Ledeau exited the interstate, drove up behind a Buick sedan, got out of the truck and demanded the Buick from the man driving it. The driver refused to give up his car. Ledeau then pointed a pistol at the car and shot through the rear driver’s side window. The window shattered, and the bullet traveled into the trunk, where it was recovered. The driver sped away, and Ledeau took off down Interstate 15 in the stolen truck.
The government further alleged that Ledeau made it to Cascade where he ran out of gas. There, a man offered to take Ledeau to get gas, and Ledeau and his companion got into the man’s car. However, once in the car, Ledeau threatened the driver with a knife and demanded the vehicle. The driver jumped out of the car and noticed law enforcement beginning to arrive. Deputies attempted to stop Ledeau, but he drove the stolen car at the officers, who had to flee out of his path.
As deputies continued trying to stop Ledeau, Ledeau drove back onto Interstate 15 at a high rate of speed and traveled the wrong way on the interstate. Ledeau eventually exited the interstate and crashed near Simms. At the crash scene, officers found Ledeau in possession of a pistol that appeared to be the same gun he used in the Billings carjacking and a bottle of Southern Comfort whiskey. Ledeau was intoxicated and belligerent, and agents recovered numerous cartridges, ammunition and empty ammunition boxes from the truck. The gun had a red stock and dark colored slide and was determined to be a 9mm pistol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica A. Betley and Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case. The Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Attorney’s Office, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office, Billings Police Department 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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Meth trafficking in Billings sends Washington woman to prison for 10 yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Washington woman was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, after she was caught while trying to flee law enforcement and admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the Billings community, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Lyzette Vargas, 41, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in September 2022, agents with the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force learned that Vargas was distributing large quantities of fentanyl pills in Billings. Law enforcement pulled over a vehicle Vargas was driving, but as the officer approached, Vargas switched seats with a passenger, who then sped away. A short time later, officers located the vehicle, which was abandoned. In a search of the area, law enforcement located Vargas, who tried to flee but was caught and arrested. Agents searched a bag Vargas had possessed and found it contained approximately 873 grams, which is almost two pounds, of meth.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, The 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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Wyoming man sentenced to three years in prison for traveling to Bozeman with intent to engage in sex with minorRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Wyoming man was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, after he admitted he traveled to Montana with the intent to engage in sex with a minor, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jeremy George Lusk, 39, of Crowley, Wyoming, pleaded guilty in June to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in January, law enforcement was working undercover and responded to an ad on a social media site that was looking for a sexual encounter. The undercover responded, asking the user, who was later identified as Lusk, if he had age limits. Lusk responded that he did not, and the undercover replied that she was 14 years old and lived in Bozeman. Lusk expressed hesitation with the undercover’s purported age before re-engaging and expressing a desire for someone her age. The communications led to Lusk sending a nude photo of himself and to sexually explicit conversations. Ultimately, the two discussed Lusk traveling to Bozeman to meet and have sex. Law enforcement arrested Lusk when he arrived in Bozeman from Wyoming believing he was going to meet the undercover. Inside his truck were lubricant jell, condoms and a sex toy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case. The Bozeman Police Department, Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations 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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New Mexico man sentenced to 21 months in prison for cyberstalking Poplar womanRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A New Mexico man who admitted to cyberstalking a Poplar woman for more than two years was sentenced today to 21 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jicarilla Juan Tiznado, 23, of Dulce, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in June to cyberstalking.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that from about June 2020 through October 2022, Tiznado repeatedly harassed and intimidated the victim, identified as Jane Doe, using his computer, cell phone, email and the Internet. Tiznado called, emailed and messaged Jane Doe hundreds of times, threatening to harm and kill her, kill her brother, harm her friends and relatives, send nude images of her to her teachers or post them to her school’s Facebook account. Tiznado also harassed Jane Doe by calling and emailing schools she attended, attempting to get her into trouble, submitting unsubstantiated complaints about her and her family to state and tribal agencies and calling 911 with a false report about her.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wendy A. Johnson and Amanda L. Myers prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Peck Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
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Murder in death of child sends Wolf Point woman to prison for more than 16 yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Wolf Point woman who admitted to a murder charge in the death of child on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was sentenced on Oct. 30 to 16 years and three months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Heather Dawn Smith, aka Heather Dawn Yellow Owl, 33, pleaded guilty in May to second degree murder.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Nov. 8, 2020 in Wolf Point, Smith beat the victim, a two-year-old child identified as Jane Doe. When Smith checked on the victim on Nov. 12, the child was unresponsive. The child was transported to the hospital in Wolf Point, where she was pronounced dead. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Harper Suek and Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI, Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation and Wolf Point Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Poplar woman sentenced to more than five years in prison for trafficking meth on Fort Peck Indian Reservation; customer died after taking the drugRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Poplar woman was sentenced today to five years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after she admitted to a methamphetamine trafficking crime in which a customer died shortly after taking the drug, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Danyell Rose Black Dog, 23, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Aug. 27, 2021, Fort Peck Tribes law enforcement officers responded to a 911 medical call regarding a woman identified as Jane Doe. Doe was unresponsive and officers began CPR. Family members told officers at the scene that Doe had used meth prior to the 911 call. Emergency medical responders arrived and transported Doe to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The government further alleged the investigation determined that Doe would buy $5 or $10 worth of meth from Black Dog on a regular basis, and that Black Dog had sold to Doe two to three times a week. Black Dog sent text information to another individual in which she said she was on her way to sell Doe meth approximately 30 minutes before the incident and how she sold and delivered it to Doe. An autopsy of Doe conducted by the Montana state medical examiner listed the cause of death as methamphetamine toxicity.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice conducted the investigation.
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Mexican national sentenced to two years in prison for trafficking meth, fentanyl on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Mexican national was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Evirso Real Ampude, aka Poncho, 48, pleaded guilty in May, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the fall of 2021, law enforcement learned that a Mexican national, known as Poncho and later identified as Ampude, was distributing meth and fentanyl on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Several witnesses reported receiving meth, fentanyl or both from Ampude, and multiple witnesses reported working with Ampude to distribute drugs. In August 2022, Ampude was arrested during a traffic stop and was found in possession of a fentanyl pill and a half a gram of meth. In the vehicle was approximately $8,000 in cash and three cell phones.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ethan R. Plaut and Wendy A. Johnson prosecuted the case. The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Border Patrol, Tri-Agency Task Force 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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Browning woman sentenced to 27 months in prison for sexual abuse of minor boyRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning woman who admitted to sexually abusing a boy on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 27 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Brittany Lynn Gervais, 26, pleaded guilty in May to sexual abuse of a minor.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2021, a relative of the victim, identified as John Doe, was outside her residence when she saw John Doe approach, with Gervais trailing. John Doe was 13 years old and has developmental delays. The relative saw blood on John Doe’s clothing and called an ambulance. The investigation determined that Gervais met John Doe at a residence in the early morning hours. The pair left the residence together and at some point, Gervais sexually assaulted him before walking with him back to his residence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kalah A. Paisley and Wendy A. Johnson prosecuted the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Service conducted the investigation.
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Two Great Falls residents arraigned in fentanyl trafficking investigationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — Two persons arrested recently as part of a multi-agency narcotics investigation appeared for arraignment on Oct. 26 on federal indictments alleging fentanyl trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Officers from multiple federal, state and local agencies previously arrested five persons on warrants as part of a coordinated takedown conducted on Oct. 12 in Great Falls.
The two defendants appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty were:
- Nicholas Cocklin, 28, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cocklin faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. Cocklin was arrested on Oct. 21. Cocklin was detained pending further proceedings. PACER case reference. 23-95.
- Courtney Price, 27, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Price faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. Price was arrested on Oct. 19. Price was detained pending further proceedings. PACER case reference. 23-94.
The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Co-defendants or defendants in associated cases previously arraigned and pending trial are Alanna Corcoran, Natalie Crawford, Michael McIntire, Terry McIntire, all of Great Falls, and Paul Regimbal, of Fort Benton.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and Great Falls Police Department, with assistance from the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Russell Country High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Marshals Service, conducted the investigation.
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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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 Oct. 26 was:
John Edward Szydlowski IV, 21, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Szydlowski faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Szydlowski was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-124.
Steven Edward Schlosser, 53, of Ballantine, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schlosser faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Schlosser was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-123.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Oct. 26 was:
Juan Jose Romero, 39, of Butte, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Romero faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Romero was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 23-11.
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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U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana celebrates funding announced during Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The Department of Justice joins survivors, victim service providers, advocates, and communities nationwide in recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). This is a time to center the experiences of survivors, honor those who lost their lives to domestic violence; express gratitude to the countless individuals in the movement to end violence; and raise awareness on the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As part of its monthlong observance of DVAM, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana is proud to announce that the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded more than $4.7 million to Montana to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Data from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate about 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Domestic violence rates are even higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black individuals, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
The announced grants will reach Tribal nations, historically marginalized communities, underserved communities, college and university campuses, rural towns, culturally specific communities, and more. The funding prioritizes increasing access to justice, improving survivor safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering training and technical support to professionals addressing these crimes.
Specifically, Montana received the following funds for the 2023 fiscal year:
- OVW awarded $340,618 under State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to enhance the coordination between courts, child protective services agencies, advocates, law enforcement, and community programs to encourage trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. The award will go to the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
- OVW awarded $2.93 million under the Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Assistance Program (Rural Program) to support programs by local government, community-based organizations, and medical providers in rural areas to improve the safety of survivors. The awards will go to Supporters of Abuse Free Environments, $743,863; Friendship Center of Helena, $748,539; St. Peter’s Health Foundation, $700,000; and Hi-Line’s Help for Abused Spouses, $743,233.
- OVW awarded $1.5 million under the Training and Technical Assistance Initiative to support training and technical assistance programs to enhance the efforts of grant recipients to implement projects supported by OVW funds successfully. The award will go to Inspire Action for Social Change Inc.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana commented: “I am pleased to announce that Montana has been awarded funding from the Office on Violence Against Women. Domestic violence in all its forms must stop. As we continue to prosecute and hold offenders accountable, we must also work to support and help survivors and victims of this violent abuse. These grants will fund services, organizations and agencies that are doing important work in communities across Montana to provide victim services and to raise awareness to end this violence.”
“Every day, a vast network of dedicated individuals helps domestic violence survivors access multiple pathways to safety, justice, and healing,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “OVW understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence. These funds will enable communities to increase capacity and strengthen a coordinated community approach to prevent and address violence in more comprehensive ways tailored to their communities. Together, with our grantees, we are building a future where individuals and families can live and thrive without the threat of intimate partner violence.”
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
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DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for October 28, 2023Read the Press Release
BILLINGS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 28. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana, including a DEA site in Billings. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.
“Cleaning out medicine cabinets of expired or unused prescription drugs for drop off during DEA’s Take Back Day is an easy and effective way to help stop the epidemic of overdose deaths and addictions, especially those involving opioids. I urge all Montanans do their part to keep loved ones, friends and their communities safer,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
“Prevention of drug misuse must start at home, which is why for more than a decade DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided our community a safe and easy way to get rid of unnecessary medications,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Cesar Avila. “This past Spring we collected more than 2,200 pounds of unneeded medications throughout Montana and, with your help, we hope to collect even more this Saturday.”
The DEA will have a drop off location in Billings at the Billings Fire Station #5, 605 S. 24th Street W.
More than 15 sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal agencies across Montana are participating in Take Back Day. Information about collection sites and more information about event is available here: https://takebackday.dea.gov/
During the last Take Back Day held on April 22, 2023, 4,497 law enforcement participants at 4,955 collection sites across the country brought in a total weight of 663,725 pounds, or 332 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 17.3 million pounds, or more than 8,650 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.
During the April event, Montanans turned in 2,255 pounds of prescription drugs at 30 collection sites. Twenty-nine law enforcement agencies participated. Total all time weight collected in Montana is 53,445 pounds.
In addition to DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 28, prescription drugs can be disposed of any day throughout the year at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors. For more information on collection sites, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 28 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.
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Billings man accused of threatening to murder U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man accused of threating to murder U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy appeared today for arraignment on an indictment, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Richard Lee Rogers, 44, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with threats to injure and murder a member of the United States Congress and with harassing telephone calls. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rogers faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. Rogers was released pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that on Feb. 3, near Shepherd, Rogers threatened to assault and murder Kevin McCarthy, who is a member of the U.S. Congress and was the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, with the intent to retaliate against him for the performance of his official duties. The indictment further alleges that on Feb. 3, Rogers made repeated interstate phone calls to harass a person at the called number.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Capitol Police.
PACER case reference. 23-112.
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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U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announces $3.2 million in Justice Department 2023 grants for three Montana tribesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The Justice Department on Oct. 20, through its Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), announced that it has awarded 182 grants to 111 American Indian and Alaska Native communities, totaling more than $96.7 million. Included in the awards are grants totaling $3.2 million to three tribes in Montana.
“This grant program was created in recognition of the fact that Tribes are in the best position to determine how to meet the most urgent public safety challenges facing their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These resources will go directly to supporting Tribes’ efforts to bolster their law enforcement capabilities, combat gender-based and domestic violence, and provide support to victims. The Justice Department will continue to serve as partners to Tribes as they work to ensure the safety of their communities.”
“The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that our resources support Tribal sovereignty and address acute public safety challenges in Indian Country and in rural Alaska,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, who announced the awards Oct. 20 in remarks to the Alaska Federation of Natives in Anchorage. “We are committed to working with our Tribal partners to make our resources more accessible to Tribal communities.”
“I am pleased three of our tribal nations in Montana will be receiving funds to help improve and support their critical work in making their communities safer. The money will help in a variety of ways, from strengthening justice programs, law enforcement, and public safety to supporting services for victims of domestic violence and services for youth,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, for the District of Montana.
Montana tribes receiving CTAS grants are:
Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, $1,435,232 total.
- Tribal Justice Infrastructure Program (Bureau of Justice Assistance), $1,335,237.
- Tribal Youth Program (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention), 99,995.
Crow Tribe of Indians, $500,000 total.
- Tribal Youth Program (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention), $500,000.
Northern Cheyenne Tribe, $1,328,909 total.
- Public Safety and Community Policing (COPS Office), $629,138.
- Comprehensive Tribal Justice Systems Strategic Planning (Bureau of Justice Assistance), $149,831.
- Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities (Office for Victims of Crime), $449,992.
- Tribal Youth Program (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention), $99,948.
The tribal grant awards are designed to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses, improve the handling of child abuse cases, combat domestic and sexual violence, support tribal youth programs, and fund an array of services for American Indian and Alaska Native crime victims. The awards are administered through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).
In addition to the CTAS awards, several other Justice Department components announced grant awards to Tribes. For example, OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime has awarded almost $70 million through the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside to provide services for crime victims in tribal communities and to increase the quantity and quality of victim-centered services available to assist tribal victims of human trafficking in urban areas.
The Justice Department also awarded more than $8.5 million through OJP's Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking to 24 tribes to assist in their compliance with federal law on sex offender registration and notification.
Of the more than $96.7 million in grants awarded under CTAS, a streamlined application that helps Tribes apply for tribal-specific grant programs, OJP made more than $66 million in awards, and the COPS Office made nearly $30 million.
The COPS Office used these funds to assist 49 Tribes in hiring personnel, equipment, and training grants to expand the implementation of community policing. Specifically, this funding can be used to hire or re-hire full-time career law enforcement officers, Village Public Safety Officers and school resource officers and to procure essential equipment, technology, and training to assist in initiating or enhancing tribal policing efforts.
About the Office of Justice Programs
OJP provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice, assist victims, and uphold the rule of law.
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Justice Department responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Justice Department agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime-fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. Since 1994, the COPS Office has appropriated more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to over 13,000 state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 136,000 officers.
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Methamphetamine, fentanyl trafficking send Missoula man to prison for more than six yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community after a traffic stop in which officers found drugs, a firearm and some cash was sentenced today to six years and six months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Eric Anthony Navarro, 33, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Navarro was involved in importing meth and fentanyl into Montana to be sold in the Missoula area using short term property rentals. On Feb. 4, law enforcement pulled over a vehicle, in which Navarro was a passenger, for a traffic stop. Navarro was taken into custody. In a later search of the vehicle, law enforcement recovered meth, fentanyl pills, heroin, a firearm and $279 in cash.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, Missoula Police Department and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office 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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Man sentenced to 18 months in prison for making racially-motivated harassing calls to African American woman employed at Billings churchRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A man who admitted making numerous racially-motivated harassing calls to an African American woman employed at a Billings church was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Joshua Leon Hiestand, 41, formerly of Dillon, pleaded guilty in June to harassing phone calls.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court also ordered $617 restitution.
“When Hiestand, a white man, went to a Billings church looking for help, an elderly African American woman who worked there responded with kindness and assistance. In return and for nearly two years, Hiestand launched a barrage of harassing hateful and racist calls and voicemails at her and the church. His racist conduct isn’t just abhorrent, it is illegal. We are better than this,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
In a statement to the court, the victim, identified as Jane Doe, said Hiestand’s messages contained racist rants and obscenities. “The first message made me sick. I literally started shaking. What he said really frightened me. I get high anxiety when I listen to those messages,” Jane Doe said.
In court documents and statements in court, the government alleged that in November 2020, Hiestand, a white man, went to a church in Billings looking for a job and money. Jane Doe, an elderly African American who works at the church, gave him a gift card. Several days later, Hiestand left a voicemail for Jane Doe and, using a racial epithet, said he would give more money to the church if it did not employ an African American. The next month, Hiestand reached Jane Doe on the phone and referenced his “white friends” and, again, how he would contribute to the church if it did not employ African Americans. Hiestand’s behavior escalated. In another voicemail from Hiestand, he stated, “Nobody wants you here.” Jane Doe contacted the Billings Police Department, and officers identified Hiestand as the caller. In a telephone interview with law enforcement, Hiestand apologized for his conduct. But his behavior continued. In August 2021, Hiestand left another voicemail and, using a racial epithet, told Jane Doe that the “world is going to end because of your black ass race.” Hiestand’s conduct continued for approximately the next 19 months. Hiestand also made similar threatening and racially motivated calls to Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the southern United States. The investigation determined that Hiestand placed the calls from outside of Montana.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI and Billings Police Department 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 Oct. 19 was:
Jacci Christen Heinemann, 32, of Livingston, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Heinemann faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Heinemann was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-115.
Edward Anthony Torres, 27, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Torres faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Torres was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-52.
Appearing on Oct. 17 was:
Sayra Longfox, 25, of Lodge Grass, 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, Longfox faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Longfox was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-102.
Appearing for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint on Oct. 16 was:
Eric Stephen Hadnott, 44, of Billings, on charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hadnott faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $100,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hadnott was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-146.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Oct. 18 was:
David Scott Retzer, 41, of Livingston, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Retzer faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Retzer was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-115.
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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Corvallis meth trafficker sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Corvallis woman who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and carrying a gun to protect herself while distributing drugs was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Brittany Nicole Lewis, 33, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on April 8, 2022, in Ravalli County, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Lewis was driving. In a later search of the vehicle, officers found one pound of meth. Lewis admitted that she sold meth and that the meth in the vehicle belonged to her. She also admitted that she used a firearm to protect herself while distributing drugs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol 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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U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Montana Observes Domestic Violence Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana joins the U.S. Department of Justice in observing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), paying tribute to victims and survivors, and saluting the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers, and first responders who work tirelessly in support of survivors.
Domestic, dating and intimate partner violence can have long-lasting impacts and consequences. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes. However, rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people, and people with disabilities. DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.
“We want Montanans to know that we are here to support victims and survivors of domestic violence--not just in October, but every month,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “Domestic violence harms individuals, families and communities and provides each of us with the responsibility in helping to end this abuse.”
Through Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Justice Department violent crime reduction initiative, the District of Montana is working with federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute firearms crimes, which is crucial for combatting domestic violence. Domestic violence abusers who have access to a gun are five times more likely to kill their partners. In addition, abusers use guns to inflict fear, intimidation and coercive control. Under federal law, persons with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions and those subject to domestic violence protective orders are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also has an essential role in prosecuting crimes in Indian Country, including domestic violence crimes that involve assault of intimate or dating partners. Holding violent domestic offenders accountable is critical for stopping the abuse and ensuring justice and safety for survivors.
To find support in Montana, visit https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources. For immediate help for domestic violence victims: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (@ndvhofficial) at 1-800-799-7233 or Strong Hearts Native Helpline (@strongheartsdv) at 1-844-762-8483. To learn more, please visit www.Justice.gov/OVW
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Possession of unregistered shortened shotgun sends East Helena man to prison for more than two yearsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — An East Helena man who admitted to possessing an unregistered shortened shotgun was sentenced today to two years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Joshua Alan Roberts-Sprinkle, 36, pleaded guilty in May to possession of an unregistered firearm.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Oct. 27, 2022, Roberts-Sprinkle possessed three firearms—a loaded AR-style rifle, a shortened shotgun and a loaded .40-caliber handgun, when law enforcement arrested him on an outstanding warrant in East Helena. Officers located the firearms, ammunition, a glass container with methamphetamine residue and a ballistic vest when they executed a search warrant on his vehicle. A Savage Arms/Stevens shotgun, model 94, .410-caliber, with a shortened stock and barrel, was located in the trunk. The recovered shotgun had a barrel length of approximately 14 inches and an overlength of approximately 21 ½ inches. The shotgun was originally manufactured with an overall length of 44 inches and a barrel length of 28 inches. The shortened shotgun was not registered as required by law and the possession of it is a violation of federal firearms laws.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, East Helena Police Department and Helena 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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Passenger sentenced to six years in prison for meth trafficking and gun crimes after attempted traffic stop led to shooting of Great Falls police officerRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A woman passenger who admitted to methamphetamine and gun crimes after an attempted traffic stop led to the driver shooting and wounding a Great Falls police officer was sentenced today to six years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Nikki Marie Snell, 38, of Harlem, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute meth and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm as charged in a superseding information.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in mid- 2022, the Russell Country Drug Task Force in Great Falls learned that Snell was trafficking meth in the community and acquired meth that agents traced to Snell. Then on March 7, 2023, Great Falls police officers attempted a traffic stop of a car from Billings, but the car fled. Officers found the car and saw a man, later identified as the driver, and Snell, the passenger, walking away from it. Snell stopped and complied with the officers, while the driver ran away with Snell’s brown purse. An officer chased the driver, who shot the officer numerous times, wounding him. During the pursuit and shooting, the driver dropped the purse. Officers recovered the purse and found a 9mm semi-automatic handgun inside. The handgun was a different firearm from the one used in the shooting. Snell admitted that the recovered purse was hers and that she knew it contained the handgun. Snell had a prior federal felony conviction for assault and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Great Falls Police Department, with assistance from the Russell Country Drug 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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Laurel felon sentenced to more than five years in prison for illegally possessing 34 firearms in his residenceRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Laurel man who admitted he illegally possessed firearms and ammunition after law enforcement found 34 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his residence was sentenced today to five years and eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Nicholas Steven Capella, 39, pleaded guilty in June to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition as charged in an indictment.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in August 2022, members of the Billings Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit were surveilling a residence in Laurel when Capella and another person left the house and got into a vehicle that was parked outside. Capella had a pistol holstered on his hip. Officers converged on the vehicle and placed Capella and the other person in custody. A search warrant was executed at the residence, and Capella agreed to open a gun safe, which contained a large cache of firearms, including assault style rifles with high-capacity magazines. Law enforcement seized approximately 34 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Capella was prohibited from possessing firearms because of felony convictions in Washington.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department 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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Helena man admits possessing unregistered machine gunRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Helena man today admitted to a firearms crime after law enforcement found an unregistered machine gun, along with other firearms and silencers, during a search of his home, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Justin Arthur Berger, 36, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered machine gun. Berger 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. The court set sentencing for March 20, 2024. Berger was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in December 2022, a friend of Berger’s notified the FBI in Helena that Berger had made statements about wanting to harm others in a mass shooting and that Berger expected he would be killed by law enforcement during a shootout. The friend also reported that Berger had several assault rifles and silencers. Law enforcement learned through an investigation that Berger indicated he was depressed, that he knew a lot about firearms and that he had manufactured a part what would convert an AR-15 into a fully automatic weapon. In addition, Berger had been seen firing rifles with the silencers attached at a makeshift shooting range. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Berger’s home and located several firearms, including AR-style firearms, firearms components, a suspected short-barreled rifle, silencers and components for assembling silencers.
One of the firearms seized was determined to be a machine gun because it was capable of firing more than one round by a single function of the trigger. There was no record of Berger having registered a machine gun in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Helena 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 woman sentenced to more than two years in prison for drunken driving crash that injured passenger on Northern Cheyenne Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings woman was sentenced today to two years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for a drunken driving crash that seriously injured her passenger, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jamie Nicole Selage, 27, pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Jan. 16, 2022, Selage was driving drunk and had a blood-alcohol concentration of .316 percent when she swerved into the wrong lane on U.S. Highway 212, ran off the road and crashed in a ditch as she approached Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Both Selage and her passenger had to be extricated from the vehicle. The passenger suffered serious injuries and required hospitalization.
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 admits illegal possession of firearmsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man with prior federal felony convictions for gun-related crimes today admitted to illegally possessing multiple firearms, which had no serial numbers, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Luke Aldon Hayes, 42, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with felon in possession of a firearm. Hayes faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided and set sentencing for Feb. 14, 2024. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Hayes was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that Hayes had two prior federal felony convictions for firearms-related offenses when, on Aug. 9, while at work in Bonner, he accidentally shot himself in the foot. Hayes left work immediately and drove to his residence in East Missoula. 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, Hayes agreed to the forfeiture of firearms recovered on Aug. 9 along with other guns, ammunition and accessories recovered later by law enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot is prosecuting the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime 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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Indian national arrested in Montana admits role in computer-hacking scheme that stole $150,000 from Kalispell womanRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — An Indian national today admitted to his role in stealing $150,000 from an elderly Montana woman through a computer-hacking scheme, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Sukhdev Vaid, 24, of India, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Vaid faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Feb. 14, 2024. Vaid was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that a large enterprise originating from India was involved in stealing money from the elderly in the United States. In February, various fraudsters stole $150,000 from a 73-year-old woman, identified as Jane Doe, in Kalispell. The fraud occurred because of a pop-up notice that appeared on Jane Doe’s computer screen. The notice explained that Jane Doe was “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.
In March, Jane Doe told the fraudsters she still had $50,000 in cash, which was a ruse set up by the FBI. Vaid traveled to Montana, along with co-defendant Eddly Joseph, of Gainesville, Florida, to steal the money from Jane Doe. Law enforcement arrested the pair when they arrived 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 pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud and is pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. The FBI and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
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Five persons arrested in Great Falls fentanyl trafficking investigation arraigned on chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — Five persons arrested as part of a multi-agency narcotics investigation appeared for arraignment today on federal indictments alleging fentanyl trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Officers from multiple federal, state, and local agencies arrested the five defendants on warrants as part of a coordinated takedown conducted on Oct. 12 in Great Falls.
The five defendants are charged in three separate indictments alleging fentanyl trafficking in Cascade and Mineral counties. Each defendant pleaded not guilty and was detained pending further proceedings.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided.
The defendants include:
- Alanna Corcoran, 41, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Corcoran faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. PACER case reference. 23-95.
- Natalie Crawford, 31, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Crawford faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. PACER case reference. 23-96.
- Michael McIntire, 56, of Great Falls; Terry McIntire, 44, of Great Falls; and Paul Regimbal, 50, of Fort Benton, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Terry McIntire also is charged with distribution of fentanyl. The defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. PACER case reference. 23-99.
The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and Great Falls Police Department, with assistance from the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Russell Country High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Marshals Service, conducted the investigation.
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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Billings man indicted on multiple child sexual abuse, child pornography and other crimes dating back 31 years on Fort Belknap Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Billings man, formerly of Hays, was arraigned today on a 20-count federal indictment alleging child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, child pornography, aggravated sexual abuse and other crimes involving multiple victims dating back 31 years on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
James Kirby King, 57, pleaded not guilty to an indictment unsealed today in federal court.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. King was detained pending further proceedings.
As alleged in the indictment, from about 1992 to 2018 in Hays, on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, King sexually abused and attempted to sexually abuse minor children and adults. In addition, King is accused of drugging minor children and an adult while sexually abusing and attempting to sexually abuse them; incest; sexually exploiting children; and child pornography crimes. The indictment identifies the victims as two minor girls, a victim both as a minor girl and a female adult, a female adult and one minor boy. Some of the victims were under the age of 12 at the time, some were under the age of 16 and some were adults.
The indictment charges King with:
- Aggravated sexual abuse of a child, three counts.
- Incest, four counts.
- Sexual exploitation of children, three counts.
- Aggravated sexual abuse—rendering unconscious and drugging victim, two counts.
- Sexual abuse, two counts.
- Attempted aggravated sexual abuse—rendering unconscious and drugging victim, one count.
- Attempted sexual abuse, one count.
- Sexual abuse of a minor, one count.
- Aggravated sexual abuse, one count.
- Attempted possession with the intent to sell child pornography in Indian Country, one count.
- Possession of child pornography in Indian Country, one count.
If convicted of the most serious crime, King faces a maximum of life of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.
If you believe you are a victim of alleged sexual abuse by James Kirby King or have information related to the charged conduct in this case, please contact the FBI’s Havre Resident Agency: (406) 265-7181, option 20, and leave a message for the case agent.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Myers and Ryan G. Weldon are prosecuting the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
PACER case reference. 23-98.
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Bank fraud, stolen identities send Billings man to prison for more than three yearsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to using stolen bank cards and identities to make purchases around Billings was sentenced today to three and a half years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jeremy Ray Fisher, 37, pleaded guilty in June to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court also ordered $4,439 restitution.
“In Billings, it has become far too common for people like Fisher to steal credit cards, as well as others’ identities, to go on spending sprees around Billings at the expense of law abiding citizens. And almost without exception, these criminals, like Fisher, are abusing drugs. He has rightfully earned a significant prison sentence for his actions, where he will join others we have previously prosecuted for similar conduct, and we will be unwavering in our pursuit of those who seek to follow in Fisher’s footsteps,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“The defendant in this case stole identities and money from the victims and he is deserving of the sentence. This type of crime is reprehensible and causes significant losses and damage to the victims. The Billings Police Department, along with our partners, will be diligent in our investigations involving ID theft and fraud. Similarly, this sentence reflects the seriousness that the U.S. Attorney’s Office views these cases, and I thank them for their continued support,” Billings Police Chief Rich St. John said.
In court documents, the government alleged that in August 2022, a victim, identified as Jane Doe, notified the Billings Police Department that a bank credit card had been stolen from her vehicle and used by someone earlier that day to make purchases around Billings. Jane Doe received fraud alerts from her bank notifying her that some purchases had been declined but two were successful. One of the successful transactions was made at a Cenex Zip Trip. An investigation identified Fisher on video surveillance as pulling up to the store, getting out of the passenger’s seat, entering the store and paying for an item and then driving away. Fisher later admitted to using stolen credit cards to make purchases and admitted to doing so at the Zip Trip. The government further alleged that Fisher had prior felony convictions and uses methamphetamine. When arrested, he was found to have stolen power tools, stolen coolers and the identification cards of multiple people.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Hargrove prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation.
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Utah man admits defrauding Montana employerRead the Press Release
HELENA — A Utah man accused of embezzling more than $700,000 from a Montana company admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Thomas Lynn Syddall, 50, of American Fork, Utah, who worked for a company owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to money laundering-concealment as charged in an indictment. Syddall faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction 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. The court set sentencing for March 20, 2024. Syddall was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that Syddall worked as a salesman for Information Technology Corporation, which was owned by Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. From about March 2020 to about August 2021 in Helena, Syddall embezzled money through multiple means, including creating bogus purchase orders and invoices, stealing inventory and directing payments to fictitious companies and unauthorized vendors. Syddall then sold the inventory, none of which was authorized, on eBay and KSL Classifieds. When questioned by other employees about the discrepancies in orders and payments, Syddall sent lulling emails attempting to cover up and prolong the fraud. In addition, Syddall concealed financial transactions by laundering proceeds from the wire fraud into third-party accounts. Syddall then directed the transfer of the money into accounts over which he had control. The government alleged the investigation has identified approximately $759,100 in restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.
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