District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Browning man admits stabbing man on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of stabbing another man at a party in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, admitted to assault charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Frank David Francis Boy, 24, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Boy faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Sept. 7. Boy was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on Sept. 18, 2022, Boy was drinking alcohol with friends in East Glacier. The group decided to go for a drive and ended up at a house party in Browning. The victim, identified as John Doe, who lived at the residence at the time, and Boy arm-wrestled and then got into a wrestling match, which led to a disagreement. Boy and his companions were told to leave, but Boy refused. Boy’s companions pulled Boy from the residence and as they were walking away, Boy turned around and began to engage John Doe. Boy walked toward John Doe, who was backing up, and then stabbed John Doe four or five times in the left shoulder and back area. Another individual captured the assault on video. John Doe was treated for injuries at a hospital in Great Falls.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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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:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 4 was:
Jicarilla Juan Tiznado, 23, of Farmington, New Mexico, on charges of cyberstalking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Tiznado faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Tiznado was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Fort Peck Law Enforcement investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-81.
Brittany Alice Bradley, 25, of Harlem, and Daniel Francis First Raised, 32, of Harlem, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of controlled substances and distribution of fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bradley and First Raised face a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Bradley was released pending further proceedings, while First Raised was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Tri Agency Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-18.
Wilbur Joseph Nagel, 52, of Box Elder, on charges of distribution of controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nagel faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Nagel was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-21.
Jesse Nunez-Ibarra, 22, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of meth and distribution of heroin. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nunez-Ibarra faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Nunez-Ibarra was released pending further proceedings. The Great Falls Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-102.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on April 5 was:
Anthony Holcomb, 29, April Jean Timberman, 41, and Bonita Hammons, 33, all of Miles City, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. All defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Service and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-32.
Appearing on April 3 was:
Jamie Nicole Selage, 26, of Crow Agency, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Selage faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Selage was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-137.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on April 6 was:
Shanetwann Clayton Waldon, 45, of Fort Worth, Texas, on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Waldon faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. Waldon was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Missoula Police Department, Chubbock, Idaho, Police Department, Pocatello, Idaho, Police Department and Bannock County, Idaho, Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-13.
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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Wolf Point woman admits trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Wolf Point woman today admitted to allegations that she trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jordan Paige Day, 24, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Day faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four 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 Aug. 30. Day was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in January 2022, the Idaho State Police stopped a vehicle Day was driving toward Montana. During a search of the vehicle, officers located methamphetamine and fentanyl pills. In April 2022, Fort Peck officers searched a residence based on information that Day was at the house and was selling drugs. Officers seized a large bag of meth from the couch and approximately 140 fentanyl pills from under a couch cushion. Day later admitted to selling meth. Regarding the April incident, Day said that she and another person had picked up multiple pounds of meth and several hundred fentanyl pills and that the meth seized was a portion of those drugs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Idaho State Police, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Peck Department of Law and Justice.
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 for theft of artifacts from Museum of the Plains Indian on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who worked at the Museum of the Plains Indian on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today for stealing culturally significant artifacts, including a grizzly bear claw necklace, beaded moccasins and golden eagle feathers from a war bonnet, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris sentenced Preston Jay Spotted Eagle, 32, to five years of probation, as recommended by both parties in a plea agreement, 250 hours of community service and ordered him to pay $16,860 restitution.
Spotted Eagle pleaded guilty in October 2022 to theft of government property.
“As an aide employed by the Museum of the Plains Indian, Spotted Eagle was entrusted with caring for culturally significant, sacred and priceless artifacts of the Blackfeet Nation, Crow, Lakota, and other Northern Plains tribes,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “Instead, Spotted Eagle plundered the museum’s collection for his own benefit—damaging, as well as stealing, claws from a grizzly bear claw necklace, taking a pair of beaded moccasins, and removing golden eagle tail feathers from a rare full-length eagle headdress. Perhaps Spotted Eagle’s most egregious conduct was to rifle through sacred medicine bundles, not only causing physical damage, but also desecrating them. These irreplaceable cultural items represent the brave and valued history of our Native American brothers and sisters, which is why we will hold accountable anyone who seeks to engage in similar criminal conduct.”
“Protecting and preserving Indian art, culture, and heritage is of the utmost importance to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB), including through its Museum of the Plains Indian operations and programs,” stated IACB Director Meridith Stanton. “The IACB shares the outrage expressed by Blackfeet community members regarding the mishandling, destruction, and theft from the Museum of the Plains Indian of culturally significant and sacred Blackfeet collections by Mr. Spotted Eagle -- someone entrusted with their care and protection as a then Museum employee. The IACB is grateful for the outstanding work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the Office of the U.S. Attorney – District of Montana in bringing Mr. Spotted Eagle to justice for his destructive and reckless actions.”
“Mr. Spotted Eagle not only stole from the museum, but also from the people of the Northern Plains Tribes,” said Edward J. Grace, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement. “He also wore and damaged culturally significant items that are irreplaceable in spirit and value and his actions have robbed current and future generations of seeing these items intact and enjoying their significance. Today’s sentence was the result of the strong collaboration between our special agents, the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
The government alleged in court documents that the thefts occurred between May and August 2021 from the Museum of the Plains Indian, in Browning, where Spotted Eagle was employed as an aide. None of the stolen items has been recovered. The Museum of the Plains Indian displays the arts of various Northern Plains Tribes and is managed by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board. All art held by the museum is property of the federal government. In August 2021, museum staff noticed that a bear claw necklace was missing from a display. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated and identified Spotted Eagle as the thief.
The government alleged that the first item found to be missing was a grizzly bear necklace that contained 11 large claws. An employee assumed Spotted Eagle had removed it because she had given him an inventory assignment. When asked about the necklace, Spotted Eagle reported not knowing what happened to it. A review of security system video led to Spotted Eagle. When confronted again, Spotted Eagle said he believed he removed the necklace after seeing that it had fallen off its hanger. Spotted Eagle told the employee that nobody else needed to review the video and that he could guarantee the necklace was still in the museum. That afternoon, Spotted Eagle said he found the necklace under some papers in a collection room. The necklace was heavily damaged and appeared to have had four of the 11 claws removed and replaced with smaller claws.
Court documents further alleged that museum staff conducted an inventory to determine if there were other items missing and learned that an additional four loose grizzly bear claws, a pair of beaded moccasins and 26 golden eagle feathers from a war bonnet were gone. A review of surveillance footage showed that Spotted Eagle removed the pair of stolen moccasins, but first he held several different pairs of moccasins up to the bottom of his shoe for a size comparison. He later took the pair of moccasins and rearranged the other moccasins they were stored with so the missing pair would not be easy to detect. Video further showed Spotted Eagle handling a war bonnet that was later found with 26 missing golden eagle feathers. Investigators identified additional video of Spotted Eagle removing artifacts and photographing them with his cell phone. He was observed trying on historic clothing, including a ceremonial Crazy Dog Society shirt that was too small for him but did not rip during the struggle. And he was observed rummaging through many sacred bundles, even breaking a strap on the parfleche tube case of one of the bundles. In addition to physically damaging the bundles, Spotted Eagle caused spiritual harm to them and to the community by violating cultural protocols associated with the care and handling of sacred medicine bundles.
When interviewed by agents, the government alleged, Spotted Eagle claimed that he found the bear claw necklace damaged, removed it and attempted to repair it, but that he was unable to notify other employees because they were absent. Agents confirmed the employees were present on the date Spotted Eagle removed the necklace. Agents confronted Spotted Eagle about removing four claws from the necklace and replacing them, which he denied. Spotted Eagle abruptly ended the interview, swore at the agent and left after making an obscene gesture.
Investigators later confirmed that Spotted Eagle posted on social media a photo of 33 immature golden eagle feathers that are similar to the 26 feathers stolen from the museum headdress. Spotted Eagle has never applied for or received golden eagle parts from the National Eagle Repository.
An appraisal of the missing and damaged items determined the following values:
- Grizzly bear claw necklace, $3,200 fair market value before being damaged.
- Beaded moccasins, $350 fair market value and $425 replacement cost.
- Four grizzly bear claws, $800 market value and $1,700 replacement cost.
- 26 golden eagle feathers, no fair market value because the trade is illegal. The valuation of a feather under the uniform collateral forfeiture is $300 each, for a total of $7,800.
- The smaller bear claws found on the damaged necklace were determined to be one black bear claw and three grizzly bear claws, which were significantly newer than the other seven original claws.
- The damage to the war bonnet was not calculated because no legal market exists. A war bonnet similar to the one damaged was sold overseas for $18,172 in 2012.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement.
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Billings man sentenced to five years in prison for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor in undercover investigationRead the Press Release
BILLNGS — A Billings man who admitted having sexual conversations through social media with an undercover agent posing as a minor girl and was arrested when he showed up to meet the girl, was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Kyle Jason Swindler, 42, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court also ordered $2,000 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that in October 2021, law enforcement conducted an undercover operation in Billings to identify and arrest individuals who were attempting to have sex with children. Swindler responded to a social media post by an undercover agent who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. When the undercover agent identified herself as 13 years old, Swindler responded, “Ouch you’re a young one.” The conversation became sexual in nature. Swindler and the undercover agent arranged to meet in a public park for a sexual encounter. Swindler drove to the park, where he was arrested. Law enforcement searched Swindler’s vehicle and found sex-related items. Officers also searched Swindler’s cell phone and recovered the original social media conversation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Hargrove prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Assault with hammer sends Browning man to prison for 20 monthsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted beating a man in the head with a claw hammer was sentenced today to 20 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Calvin Lame Bull Juneau, 37, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Nov. 19, 2021, Juneau and co-defendant, Dale Ray Racine, entered a residence in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and assaulted the victim, identified as John Doe, who was sleeping in a bedroom. Doe awoke and saw Juneau and Racine rushing toward him. Juneau had a claw hammer in his hands. The victim received multiple strikes in the head, one to his hand and one to his leg. The victim was treated for head injuries at the Indian Health Service in Browning. Racine was sentenced previously to two years in prison for his conviction in the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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Great Falls felon sentenced to more than five years in prison for possessing firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Great Falls man with a felony conviction was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Raymond Lee Toulouse, 37, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in May 2022, Billings police officers checked on a suspicious vehicle and found Toulouse under the influence of some kind of substance and in possession of a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that had been stolen in Butte. At the time, Toulouse had absconded from federal supervision in Great Falls and was prohibited from possessing firearms after having been convicted of a methamphetamine trafficking crime in U.S. District Court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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 fentanyl trafficker sentenced to more than eight years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to trafficking fentanyl in the community after law enforcement found 9,500 fentanyl pills and a firearm in his vehicle was sentenced today to eight years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Kyngsten Bargar, 30, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in July 2021, law enforcement learned that Bargar was distributing fentanyl pills in the Billings area. The investigation determined that Bargar traveled to Washington to buy fentanyl, and in February 2022, the Montana Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop east of Reed Point of a vehicle driven by Bargar. During a search of the vehicle, officers found two firearms in a backpack and a safe that contained nine small bags of blue pills. An analysis determined the pills contained fentanyl. Agents estimated there were approximately 9,500 pills. The safe also contained a large amount of U.S. currency that had been bundled separately with rubber bands. One of the bundles contained a paper copy of Bargar’s Montana driver’s license.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Billings Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Box Elder man admits meth trafficking, firearm crimes on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man accused of trafficking drugs on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation after law enforcement found a pound of methamphetamine and eight firearms in his truck admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Thomas Knife, aka “Smurf,” 41, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Knife faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five 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 Aug. 24. Knife was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in December 2022, law enforcement made a traffic stop on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation of an individual who was suspected of bringing large quantities of controlled substances to Montana. During the stop, Knife arrived driving a truck. Knife told officers that the vehicle involved in the traffic stop belonged to him. Officers ultimately arrested Knife on a warrant. As they took Knife into custody, officers saw a short-barreled shotgun inside the truck he had been driving. During a search of the truck, officers found more than $500, approximately one pound of meth and eight firearms, including a .22-caliber rifle and a 20-gauge shotgun that appeared to have modified barrels. There also were hundreds of rounds of ammunition in the vehicle. Knife was on felony state probation at the time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Montana Highway Patrol.
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 man admits armed robbery charges in carjackingRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man admitted to robbery and firearms crimes today after he was accused of stealing a car at gunpoint in Billings and leading law enforcement on a chase into Big Horn County, where he was arrested, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Joseph Wayne Cantrell, 29, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with Hobbs Act Robbery and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Cantrell faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release on the robbery charge and a mandatory minimum seven years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge.
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. Sentencing was set for Aug. 2. Cantrell was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on Jan. 8, 2022, the victim was sitting in his 2017 Subaru Outback in a parking lot in Billings when Cantrell approached his driver’s side door. The victim told Cantrell to go away. Cantrell then pulled out a black handgun, and the victim immediately surrendered his car to Cantrell, who drove off in it. Less than an hour later, law enforcement found Cantrell with the car. Cantrell fled and led law enforcement on a chase from Yellowstone County into Big Horn County. Law enforcement deployed spike strips to stop Cantrell and could hear gunshots coming from the car. The car wrecked a short time later and Cantrell fled with the firearm into a nearby field. The car’s passenger side window had been shot out. After a standoff lasting several hours, Cantrell threw the firearm away and was arrested. The firearm was a 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas K. Godfrey and Lori Harper Suek are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Probation and Parole.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint on March 31 was:
Kellen Kantrell Norman, 19, of Polson, on charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and manufacture of a controlled substance. If convicted of the most serious crime, Norman faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Norman was detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-33.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on March 30 was:
Nathan Allen Sayler, 46, of Billings, on charges of distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography and destruction and removal of property to prevent seizure. If convicted of the most serious crime, Sayler faces a minimum mandatory 15 years to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release. Sayler was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-31.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on March 28 was:
Emil Saunders Day Chief, 41, of Great Falls, on charges of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted of the most serious crime, Day Chief faces a maximum of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Day Chief was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Montana Highway Patrol and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-10.
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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Drug trafficking, pipe bomb possession send Missoula man to prison for more than six yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to a drug trafficking crime after law enforcement found a backpack containing methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and a pipe bomb in his vehicle 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.
Matthew Lucas Jones, 43, pleaded guilty in December 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on June 1, 2021, law enforcement stopped Jones, while he was absconding from state probation, for a traffic violation after he drove into oncoming traffic. Officers searched a backpack in Jones’ vehicle and found heroin containing fentanyl, methamphetamine, dozens of distribution baggies and a pipe bomb. An explosives expert determined the pipe bomb was functional. Jones denied knowing about the pipe bomb or backpack and said that they must have belonged to the vehicle’s previous owner. However, surveillance video showed Jones carrying the backpack when he checked into a hotel the previous evening. Jones also possessed two cell phones, one of which contained multiple text messages indicating he was selling drugs, $1,060 cash, a silver coin and pre-paid cards.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Missoula Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Former construction company president sentenced for attempting to monopolize highway construction, repair contractsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The former president of a paving and asphalt contractor based in Billings was sentenced today to three years of probation, with six months of home detention, and fined $27,000 after he admitted to attempting to monopolize the market for highway crack-sealing services in Montana and Wyoming, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Nathan Nephi Zito, 44, of Billings, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to an information charging him with one felony count of attempted monopolization in violation of the Sherman Act.
The government alleged in court documents that Zito attempted to cheat the competitive bidding process by monopolizing the markets for highway crack-sealing services in Montana and Wyoming by proposing that his company and its competitor allocate regional markets. As early as January 2020, Zito approached a competitor about a “strategic partnership” and proposed that the competitor stop competing with Zito’s company for highway crack-sealing projects administered by Montana and Wyoming. In return, Zito’s company would stop competing with the competitor for projects administered by South Dakota and Nebraska. Zito offered to pay his competitor $100,000 as additional compensation for lost business in Montana and Wyoming. Zito further proposed that he and his competitor enter into a sham transaction to disguise their collusion.
“If Zito had succeeded in his efforts to game the competitive bidding process, there would have been a dangerous probability he would have eliminated competition and been free to raise prices or limit production, which would have negatively impacted the American taxpayer. I am grateful to Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Dake and our valued partners at both the Antitrust Division within the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General for their creative and hard work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
“Defendant Zito’s sentence should serve as a deterrent for contractors tempted by greed when bidding on contracts funded with federal dollars,” said Cissy Tubbs, Special Agent-In-Charge, Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG), Western Region. “We rely on DOT operating agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration to sound the alarm when circumstances in these complex bidding processes seem amiss, as occurred here. Consequently, OIG is committed to pursuing these multifaceted cases with our partners including the Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force, the Antitrust Division, and the Montana United States Attorney’s Office.”
The case is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General as part of the Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF). In November 2019, the Department of Justice created the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct related to defense-related spending, go to https://www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258, or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.
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East Helena woman sentenced to three months in prison for mail theft schemeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — An East Helena woman who admitted to her role in a mail theft scheme to defraud others by using unauthorized financial information was sentenced on March 23 to three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Jessica Rose Menth, 33, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to access device fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that between December 2020 and January 2021, Menth became involved in a scheme to steal mail to obtain documents, checks, ATM and credit cards, prepaid debit cards with COVID relief funds and other items of value, and then pass the checks and access the money from the various stolen cards. In a search of Menth’s hotel room in January 2021, law enforcement discovered a stack of stolen mail, several documents and more than 30 debit cards, most of which still had activation stickers on them. There was no evidence that Menth had the chance to use or attempt to use any of the devices to make unauthorized purchases. Officers also searched Menth’s car and found several small baggies and a small amount of methamphetamine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
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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:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on March 24 was:
Kyle D. Evenson, 35, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Evenson faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Evenson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-24.
Appearing on March 23 was:
Brandon Daniel Fernandes, 31, of Billings, on charges of possession of unregistered silencer and possession of firearm with an obliterated serial number. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fernandes faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Fernandes was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-28.
Appearing on March 21 was:
Elias Miguel Nava, 19, and Lawrence Alexander Foster-Nava IV, 19, both of Billings, on charges of possession of an unregistered silencer and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Elias Miguel Nava also is charged with prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Elias Miguel Nava faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lawrence Alexander Foster-Nava IV faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-28.
Le Erland Fannin, 41, of Livingston, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fannin faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Fannin was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Park County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-17.
Kenneth Crazymule, Jr., 58, of Lame Deer, on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to dating or intimate partner and assault with a dangerous weapon. If convicted of the most serious crime, Crazymule faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Crazymule was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-16.
Vincent Charles McCall, 21, of Fort Worth, Texas, on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most crime, McCall faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release on bank fraud and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on aggravated identity theft. McCall was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Secret Service, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Teton County Sheriff’s Office and Liberty County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-27.
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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Box Elder man admits to assault crime in strangling partner on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man on March 23 admitted to an assault charge for strangling a woman on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Alex George Deserly, 43, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to an intimate partner. Deserly faces a maximum of five 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. A sentencing date was set for Aug. 17. Deserly was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on June 25, 2022, medical personnel and law enforcement responded to the victim’s home for a report of a domestic assault. Deserly had left the home prior to the police arriving. The victim told law enforcement that she had confronted Deserly over messages she had seen and asked him how long he had been using methamphetamine. Deserly grabbed the victim, shoved her into a wall and strangled her. The victim tried to escape, but Deserly continued to assault and strangle her until he eventually stopped. The victim was treated for injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica A. Betley and Kalah A. Paisley are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department.
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Washington man sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for drug trafficking in BillingsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Washington man who admitted to a drug trafficking crime after law enforcement found fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and a loaded 9mm handgun in a search of his Billings hotel room and truck was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Joel David Lund, 40, of Seattle, Washington, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in September 2022, an investigation into an individual caught with a significant amount of fentanyl led to Lund as the person who sold the drug from his Billings hotel room. Agents served a search warrant on Lund’s hotel room, his truck and bags and seized approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills, meth, cocaine, heroin and a loaded 9mm handgun.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Billings Police Department.
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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Pryor man admits domestic assaultRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Pryor man accused of beating a woman on the Crow Indian Reservation admitted to a domestic assault crime today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Christian Aaron Monroy, 25, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with domestic assault by a habitual offender. Monroy faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Monroy was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in June 2021, the victim, identified as Jane Doe, was driving a car with Monroy as a passenger. Monroy began to tease and tickle Jane Doe, who accidently hit Monroy in the face with her elbow. Later, with Monroy now driving, Jane Doe threw a bottle of Monroy’s alcohol out of the window. Monroy stopped the car near Chief Plenty Coups Park and began assaulting Jane Doe. The assault continued after the two arrived at Monroy’s home. Jane Doe received treatment for injuries at a Billings hospital. Monroy and Jane Doe were in a dating relationship at the time. Monroy had been convicted in January 2020 and June 2021 of partner or family member assault for assaulting previous girlfriends.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek and Special Assistant U.S Attorney Jeanne Torske are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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California man admits armed fentanyl trafficking in Great Falls areaRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A California man suspected of armed fentanyl trafficking in the Great Falls area admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Casey Louis Ream, 37, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Ream faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Aug. 17. Ream was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in October 2022, Russell Country Drug Task Force agents in Great Falls were investigating Ream for armed fentanyl trafficking. Ream was arrested in his vehicle and had several fentanyl pills on his person and more pills were visible in the area where he had been sitting. Officers served a search warrant on the vehicle and located a bundle of more than $6,000 in cash and a lock box that contained several thousand fentanyl pills and multiple rounds of ammunition. In a search of a house where Ream had been staying, officers found an AK-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine that had been reported stolen out of Washington state and three 9mm pistols. In later interviews, Ream admitted to owning the firearms seized from the house and that he was felon. Ream further admitted he had brought large quantities of fentanyl pills to sell. Ream has several felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.
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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Wolf Point man admits role in kidnapping, assault of girl on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Wolf Point man accused in the kidnapping and assault of a girl by a group of individuals on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in 2021 today admitted to his role in the abduction, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Cheri Cruz Granbois, 21, pleaded guilty to kidnapping of an individual under 18. Granbois faces a mandatory minimum 20 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime 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 sentencing factors. Sentencing was set for Aug. 10. Granbois was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged that on Sept. 15, 2021, a group of individuals lured a 15-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, out of her house in Wolf Point and kidnapped her. Granbois offered to pay co-defendant Kaylee Jackson to lure the victim from her house so she could be assaulted. As a result, Jane Doe was lured out of her house, and the situation escalated. Some of the individuals in the group assaulted the victim in her front yard. When eyewitnesses yelled that they were going to call the police, some of individuals kidnapped Jane Doe, forcing her into a vehicle and driving to a vacant field where the assault continued. Granbois grabbed the victim and beat her in the vehicle.
Granbois is the last of six defendants indicted in the case to plead guilty. Co-defendants Dylan Troy Jackson, Kaylee Jade Jackson, Patti Jo Annunciata Mail, Lavanchie Patricia Goodbird and Elmarie Amelia Weeks have pleaded guilty to charges and are pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wendy A. Johnson and Ryan G. Weldon are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department.
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Jury convicts Browning man of raping girl on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A federal jury today convicted a Browning man who was accused of raping a girl in Heart Butte, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
After a two-day trial that began on March 21, the jury found William Ronald Blackman, 31, guilty of attempted sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse as charged in a superseding indictment.
Blackman faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to a lifetime 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 sentencing factors. Sentencing was set for Aug. 10. Blackman was released pending further proceedings.
“Blackman repeatedly took advantage of a teenage girl for his own sexual gratification, which is something she will have to continue to overcome for the rest of her life. While the jury got it right, Blackman’s actions permanently harmed a child and unfortunately, no guilty verdict will change that. But the guilty verdicts rightly hold Blackman accountable. I am extremely grateful to Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon, along with the FBI, for their diligent work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that Blackman sexually abused the victim, identified as Jane Doe, on three occasions when she was physically incapable of declining participating in a sexual act. Jane Doe, who was approximately 15 years old at the time, had passed out from alcohol intoxication and woke up to Blackman sexually abusing or having intercourse with her. The assaults occurred in 2019 and 2020. The victim ultimately reported the sexual abuse to a counselor.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Former Missoula nurse sentenced for felony diversion of drugsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A former Missoula nurse who admitted to diverting opioid drugs while working at St. Patrick Hospital was sentenced today to three years of probation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Caitlin Ashley Evans, 37, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deception and subterfuge.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in October 2021, a St. Patrick Hospital official reviewed drug distribution data and discovered that Evans was ordering opiates, including oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, at much higher rates and in greater amounts than her peers. Another nurse also reported suspicious activity by Evans to her supervisor. Hospital administrators spoke with Evans, who admitted to diverting drugs from the hospital while working since the fall of 2020. Evans explained that she had been taking waste amounts of hydromorphone and morphine two to three times a week by exchanging the drugs for saline before disposing of them.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
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Billings man sentenced to more than five years in prison for attempted coercion, enticement of boy for sex in undercover investigationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted that he went to a location expecting to meet a boy for sex and was arrested in an undercover investigation was sentenced today to five years and 11 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Kyle Ray Schwindt, 22, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to attempted coercion and enticement.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on July 14, 2022 law enforcement conducted an undercover operation in Billings in which officers assumed the identity of a fictitious 13-year-old male online. On that day, Schwindt contacted the fictitious profile. During those communications, an undercover officer claimed to be a 13-year-old boy and told Schwindt of being 13 years old. The discussion became increasing sexual in nature and led to plans to meet at a location in Billings. On July 15, 2022, Schwindt was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location and later admitted he traveled to the location to meet a 13-year-old boy for a sexual encounter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.
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Stevensville man sentenced to 16 years in prison for fentanyl, meth trafficking operationRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Stevensville man convicted in a large-scale operation to make and distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine pills that looked like legal prescription drugs, which he sold by the thousands while illegally possessing a firearm, was sentenced today to 16 years in prison, to be followed by seven years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Andrew Kyle Whittecar, 38, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and money laundering.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on April 27, 2022, the Minnesota Highway Patrol made a traffic stop of Whittecar’s vehicle. Whittecar appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, and the trooper suspected Whittecar may be trafficking drugs. The trooper ultimately searched the vehicle and found $3,000 in cash, three grams of cocaine, more than 5,000 blue fentanyl pills, 1,000 orange pills that contained methamphetamine, a loaded Glock 17 semi-automatic handgun and an additional loaded magazine.
The government further alleged Whittecar later told law enforcement that the fentanyl and meth pills were designed to look like Percocet and Adderall, that he made between 10 to 15 trips over the last year from Seattle, Washington, to Madison, Wisconsin, with the same quantity of fentanyl: approximately 5,000 pills.
Law enforcement also received reports that Whittecar, while incarcerated, had enlisted family members to move items from his shed in Stevensville to another property somewhere in the country. Investigators executed a search warrant for the Stevensville property, which Whittecar was in the process of buying, and found a backhoe blocking entrance to a storage container. After moving the backhoe and entering the container, agents found two pill presses, dyes, chemicals and other substances indicative of manufacturing counterfeit pills. Some of the press heads had symbols and markings that were consistent with the pills recovered from Whittecar’s vehicle. Investigators also located a jar and a plastic baggie that contained fentanyl.
Law enforcement searched storage units used by Whittecar and found boxes containing lab equipment and glassware, which appeared consistent with a clandestine fentanyl laboratory. Drug Enforcement Administration chemists determined that the chemicals and equipment located in the storage units were sufficient to produce fentanyl. Agents also located a large assortment of gun parts and ammunition.
Additionally, a search of Whittecar’s three cell phones revealed suspected coded language for drug production and distribution. In March 2021, Whittecar communicated with Yangzhou Nuoya Machinery Company Ltd to import pill presses and custom dyes and punches, and he agreed to wire money to the company.
The government also alleged that Whittecar laundered his drug profits by buying several high-end vehicles, a backhoe, a trailer and additional equipment to continue his enterprise. Whittecar forfeited a 2015 Cadillac Escalade, a 2008 Ford F-450, a 2019 Ford F-450, a flatbed trailer, a backhoe, $3,000 in currency and the Glock 17 handgun and ammunition as part of his conviction in the case.
Whittecar was convicted in 2019 of three federal felonies in Washington and was prohibited from possessing a firearm for life.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Minnesota State Patrol, West Central Minnesota Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Cascade woman admits charges in Great Falls College student loan fraudRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Cascade woman accused 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, admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Ricci Lea Castellanos, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to aggravated identity theft. Castellanos faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the conspiracy crime, and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft crime.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Aug. 3. Castellanos was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court document 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 used and submitted multiple American Indian Tuition Waivers. Castellanos and others created and used false tribal enrollment forms from Native American Tribes, all of which were designed to result in larger student living expense refunds. Castellanos and others then diverted the money. In addition, Castellanos and others used the identify of a person, Jane Doe 1, to apply for enrollment with Great Falls College in August 2017. When applying, Castellanos forged Jane Doe 1’s signature and received $2,378 in financial aid into her bank account, Castellanos then immediately withdrew the money 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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Browning man convicted of sexually abusing two girls sentenced to more than 18 years in prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man convicted of sexually abusing two girls approximately 20 years ago on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 18 years and nine months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
A federal jury convicted Michael James Burke, 43, on Oct. 22, 2022 of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and of abusive sexual contact of a child following a two-day trial.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents and at trial that Burke committed numerous sexual acts against victims Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 over an extended period of time in Browning. Burke sexually abused Jane Doe 1 between 2000 and 2003 and Jane Doe 2 between 1999 and 2002. Both victims were under the age of 12 at the time. Burke threatened the victims and told them both that no one would believe them. The victims ultimately disclosed the sexual abuse to officials in 2017.
The government said in its sentencing memo that the victims sustained significant emotional trauma and included a statement from Jane Doe 1 about how the sexual abuse has affected her life. In her statement, Jane Doe 1 said she grew up with depression, anxiety, PTSD and low self-esteem.
“For a good majority of my pre-teens I was afraid for my life and my family’s life because of the threats that were made. If I said anything or told anyone about what happened I was afraid of someone or myself getting severely injured, which is why it took me so long to get help,” Jane Doe 1 said in her statement. “I do my best to avoid anything that triggers all of the horrible memories, which is quite stressful. Having gone through all of this I’m very physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. …I’m still healing from all of this and know I will unfortunately be dealing with this for the rest of my life.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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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:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on March 14 was:
Matthew Raymond Schroeder, 47, of Lakewood, Colorado, on charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schroeder faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Schroeder was remanded pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Billings Police Department and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-150.
Appearing on March 13 was:
Keegan Tait Roll, 28, Camille Ann Rounds, 46, and Deborah Lynn Renenger, 32, all transients, on charges of possession to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. All of the defendants were remanded pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-41.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on March 13 was:
Kayla Denise Smith, 25, of Great Falls, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Smith was detained pending further proceedings. The Great Falls Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-102.
Ryan Mark Jensen, 43, of Bremerton, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jensen faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Jensen was detained pending further proceedings. The Great Falls Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-22.
Ryan Creighton Doak, 48, of Everett, Washington, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Doak faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release, on the crime of possessing a firearm in a drug trafficking crime. Doak was detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-16.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on March 13 was:
Lindsay Ann Rumph, 34, of Butte, and Eric Anthony Navarro, 32, of Missoula, on charges of conspiracy to possess controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Navarro faces an additional charge of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Rumph and Navarro were detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, FBI and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-17.
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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Two Wolf Point residents admit roles in kidnapping, assault of minor girl on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — Two Wolf Point residents suspected in the kidnapping and assault of a girl on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in 2021 today admitted their roles in the abduction, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Dylan Troy Jackson, 22, and co-defendant Kaylee Jade Jackson, 19, each pleaded guilty to kidnapping of an individual under 18. The defendants face a mandatory minimum 20 years to a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to a lifetime 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 sentencing factors. Sentencing was set for July 26 for Dylan Jackson and Aug. 3 for Kaylee Jackson. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged that on Sept. 15, 2021, a group of individuals lured a 15-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, out of her house in Wolf Point and kidnapped her. That evening, after telling Kaylee Jackson about how Jane Doe had wronged him, co-defendant Cheri Cruz Granbois offered to pay Kaylee Jackson to lure the victim from her house so she could be assaulted. Kaylee Jackson accepted the offer and accompanied Granbois and others, including Dylan Jackson, to Jane Doe’s home. Kaylee Jackson lured Jane Doe out of her house, and the situation escalated. Some of the individuals in the group assaulted the victim. When eyewitnesses yelled that they were going to call the police, some of individuals kidnapped Jane Doe, forcing her into a vehicle and driving to a vacant field where the assault continued. Dylan Jackson helped to seize and abduct the victim.
Co-defendants Patti Jo Annunciata Mail, Lavanchie Patricia Goodbird and Elmarie Amelia Weeks have pleaded guilty to charges in the case and are pending sentencing. Granbois has pleaded not guilty to charges and is pending trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wendy A. Johnson and Ryan G. Weldon are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Fort Peck Law Enforcement, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Wolf Point Police Department.
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Man who supplied stolen firearms used in Billings casino robbery sentenced to 37 months in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A man who admitted to illegally possessing firearms after he supplied two stolen guns to two women, who robbed a Billings liquor store and later ditched them at an elementary school playground, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Darwin Dalton Sutherland, 29, a transient, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in March 2022, Sutherland participated in a residential burglary in which 12 firearms were stolen. Sutherland admitted he possessed all 12 stolen firearms and that he gave two of them to two women, Makayla Fetter and Taliah Ramirez, who then robbed a Billings casino at gunpoint. Sutherland was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a felony conviction for burglary in Cascade County.
After the robbery, Fetter and Ramirez attempted to flee law enforcement, crashed their car on property at Ponderosa Elementary School and ditched the stolen firearms on the playground. Officers recovered one of the firearms, while the next day, a student found the second gun. Fetter was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, and Ramirez was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for convictions related to the armed robbery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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 admits sexually abusing minor boy on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A man admitted today that he sexually abused a boy in Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation in 2021, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Nathaniel Bartell Plainbull, 34, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with sexual abuse of a minor. Plainbull faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Plainbull’s release was continued pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in June 2021, Plainbull and others were drinking and socializing at various locations on the Crow Indian Reservation. Eventually, the group returned to a home in Lodge Grass where some continued to drink. One of the individuals, a woman, tried to open a bedroom door but found it locked and went to sleep in the living room. The woman tried the bedroom door later, opened it and saw Plainbull, naked, on the bed with the victim, identified as John Doe, who was under the age of 16 at the time. The woman ultimately reported to law enforcement in March 2022 what she had seen in June 2021 while being interviewed on another matter. FBI agents interviewed John Doe, who described sexual abuse by Plainbull.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Dillon man admits producing child pornographyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Dillon man accused of recording himself having sex with a minor girl on multiple occasions admitted to a child pornography charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Blaine Anthony Thomas Burger, 19, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography. Burger faces a mandatory minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for July 12 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. Burger was detained pending further proceedings.
In a plea agreement filed in the case, the parties agreed that the evidence establishes the commission of two additional counts of production of child pornography involving two additional Jane Does, and that the agreement shall be treated as if Burger had been convicted of the additional counts for purposes of calculating his recommended sentencing guideline range.
The government alleged in court documents that between October 2021 and May 1, 2022 in Dillon, Burger was in a dating relationship with a girl, identified as Jane Doe 1, who was under the age of 18. On April 30, 2022, Jane Doe 1 told law enforcement that she had been in an abusive sexual relationship with Burger for the last several months. Jane Doe 1 further disclosed that Burger had sex with her on multiple occasions, recorded them having sex on his phone and kept the videos. When interviewed, Burger admitted to having sex with Jane Doe 1 more than 10 times after he learned that she was underage. Burger further admitted he had naked pictures of Jane Doe 1 on his phone. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Burger’s phone and recovered three videos that were recorded by Burger and depict him having sexual intercourse with Jane Doe 1.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office, Dillon Police Department, Helena Police Department and FBI.
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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Billings man admits to producing, possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man suspected of coercing a minor girl in New York to make and send him sexually explicit images of herself admitted to child pornography crimes today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jeffrey Eugene Herbert, 34, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Herbert faces a mandatory minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years to a lifetime of supervised release and special assessments on the charge of production of child pornography. Herbert faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, five years to a lifetime of supervised release and special assessments on the charge of possession of child pornography.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set 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. Herbert was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in June 2022, a 13-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe 1, and her parents, located in New York, reported to law enforcement that Jane Doe 1 had been coerced to produce child pornography while using the social messaging application, Triller. The girl’s parents reported that someone with a specific Triller account had been sexually exploiting their daughter. In a forensic review of Jane Doe 1’s phone, law enforcement learned the girl was being sexually exploited by another user on Triller with a separate account name, “amberbaby 14141.” There were approximately 870 communications between the two accounts in June 2022. The investigation determined that “amberbaby 14141” was connected to Herbert’s residence.
The government further alleged that Jane Doe 1 confirmed to law enforcement that she had communicated with “amberbaby 14141” and was the person in the images and videos sent to Herbert. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Herbert’s residence in October 2022 and collected approximately 20 pieces of electronic media. In an interview with law enforcement, Herbert admitted to using the “amberbaby 14141” account to coerce underage girls to produce sexually explicit content. Herbert also told law enforcement where child pornography would be located on his cellular phone, and investigators found a hidden folder that contained a video depicting a naked girl, approximately 10 years old, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
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Washington drug dealer sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for trafficking meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl to Cascade County, Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Washington man who admitted to trafficking drugs in Cascade County and the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation after law enforcement seized more than five pounds of methamphetamine along with other drugs from his vehicle was sentenced today to 12 years and six months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jorge Perez, aka Chicago, 41, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in March 2022, law enforcement learned that Perez was bringing large quantities of meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl from Spokane to the Great Falls area for distribution. The FBI’s investigation identified the vehicle Perez was driving and, with assistance from local law enforcement, stopped the vehicle outside of Great Falls in June 2022. Perez was the driver and sole occupant and had more than $4,000 cash on his person. Perez admitted there were pounds of drugs in the vehicle. Law enforcement seized approximately five pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of 18,120 doses, along with cocaine and fentanyl pills. In a second traffic stop in which Perez was a passenger, law enforcement found meth, cocaine and heroin in the vehicle. In a third traffic stop, on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, in which Perez was the driver and sole passenger, law enforcement found meth, cocaine and fentanyl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement.
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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Federal jury convicts Heron man of kidnapping son, fleeing to Costa RicaRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A federal jury today convicted a Heron man of kidnapping his son in violation of a parenting plan and taking him to Costa Rica, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
A jury found Jacob Israel Strong, aka Jacob Israel Guill, 37, guilty of international parental kidnapping. The two-day trial began on March 14. Strong faces a maximum of three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for July 27. Strong was detained pending further proceedings.
“Maintaining the safety of Montanans, especially children, is a top priority for our office, which is why I am pleased with the jury’s verdict. This case shows the extensive efforts we will make to bring kidnappers to justice, including working with law enforcement across international borders. I am grateful to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Lowney, along with the FBI, for investigating and prosecuting this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged in court documents and at trial that in January 2020, Strong and his ex-wife entered into a parenting plan for their then two-year-old son as part of a divorce proceeding. Prior to a court date in August 2021, Strong failed to return their son to his mother as scheduled. The mother was unable to locate Strong and ultimately contacted the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement also was unable to contact Strong. The Sanders County Attorney’s Office subsequently charged Strong with felony parental interference and a state arrest warrant was issued for Strong. Still, law enforcement was unable to find him.
The government further alleged that in September 2021, the FBI opened an investigation to assist Sanders County in the search for Strong and his son. In January 2022, the FBI discovered Strong and the child were living in Costa Rica, and learned that Strong and his son left the United States in approximately October 2021, near Midland, Texas. Strong paid a man to transport them to Costa Rica, and Strong and the child lived with the man for about six weeks. In May 2022, the FBI received specific information about Strong’s whereabouts, and Costa Rica officials arrested and deported him back to the United States. The child’s mother traveled to Costa Rica to take custody of her son and returned with him to the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy J. Racicot and Brian C. Lowney are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Box Elder woman sentenced to five years in prison for shooting woman in the face over drug dealRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder woman who admitted to shooting a woman in the face over a drug deal on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Tricia Friede Gardipee, 51, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court document that on Aug. 13, 2021, Gardipee shot the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in the face with a .22-caliber rifle over a drug deal on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Gardipee confronted Doe and some of her friends earlier that day in Havre. Doe picked up a brick and said she didn’t want any problems. The confrontation was because another woman ripped off Gardipee by selling her anxiety medication instead of fentanyl, and Gardipee was trying to get her money back. The government further alleged that Doe later drove with friends to a Box Elder residence. As Doe pulled into the driveway, Gardipee, along with others, pulled in behind them, blocking the car. Gardipee and her son, both armed, walked up to Doe’s car. Gardipee then shot Doe in the face. Doe was treated for injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department.
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Ashland man sentenced to 37 months in prison for sexually abusing minor girl on Northern Cheyenne Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — An Ashland man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for sexually abusing a minor girl on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Jordan Cody Washee, 30, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to abusive sexual contact.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that the victim, identified as Jane Doe, reported that starting in 2011 and continuing through 2012, Washee sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions at her house. The victim was between the ages of 11 and 13 at the time.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office.
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Heart Butte man admits murdering woman on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Heart Butte man today admitted to murdering a woman after an argument on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Terrance Travis Aimsback, 34, pleaded guilty to second degree murder as indicted. Aimsback faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for July 26. Aimsback was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Aimsback unlawfully killed the victim, identified as Jane Doe, with malice aforethought. On Nov. 24, 2022, Aimsback called 911, claiming Jane Doe would not wake up, although she was still breathing. Law enforcement officers arrived and immediately noticed Jane Doe was cold and had died hours earlier. When interviewed, Aimsback admitted he killed Jane Doe. Aimsback and Jane Doe began arguing, and Aimsback beat Jane Doe with a stick. Jane Doe died from the injuries. Aimsback and Jane Doe were in a romantic relationship at the time of the murder.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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Box Elder man sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexually abusing childRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man who admitted to sexually abusing a child for approximately four years on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Isaiah Morsette, 32, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact in September 2022.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in June 2022, Morsette informed law enforcement that he had been having sexual contact with a child beginning in about 2016 or 2017. At the time the victim was under the age of 12 years. The victim confirmed the sexual abuse and alleged that Morsette had threatened to kill him on multiple occasions when he attempted to defend himself.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda L. Myers and Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement.
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Passenger accused of gun crime after attempted traffic stop led to shooting of Great Falls police officerRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A woman passenger appeared in federal court today on a firearm charge after the driver allegedly shot and wounded a Great Falls Police Department officer during an attempted a traffic stop of their car on March 7, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Nikki Marie Snell, 38, of Harlem, had an initial appearance on a criminal complaint accusing her of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Snell faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Snell was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 7, Great Falls Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a car. The driver, a man, ran from the car with a large brown purse and is suspected of subsequently shooting an officer. Investigators identified Snell as the only passenger in the car and detained her. Officers also recovered the large brown purse that had been in the man’s possession. The court documents further alleged the purse belonged to Snell and that it contained a loaded 9mm, semi-automatic pistol, along with a syringe, an empty baggie with suspected methamphetamine and a digital scale. The government alleged that Snell is prohibited from possessing a firearm, ammunition, destructive device or any other dangerous weapon because of a prior federal felony conviction.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Great Falls Police Department.
PACER case reference. 23-mj-32.
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:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on March 7 was:
Antonio Ledesma Rodriguez, aka Uncle, 52, and Jose Delrefugio Rodriguez, 27, both of Yakima, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Task Force and Rocky Boy’s Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-106.
Stephen Jeffrey Vogel, 35, of Great Falls, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Vogel faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Vogel was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Great Falls Police Department and Cascade County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-26.
Titus Lee Pedraza, 40, of Box Elder, on charges of strangulation, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault resulting in substantial bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Pedraza faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Pedraza was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-24.
Thomas Knife, aka Smurf, 40, of Box Elder, and Antonio Penalosa Infante, 36, of Spokane, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Knife also faces a charge of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, while Infante also faces a charge of distribution of controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, the defendants face a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory minimum five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other charge, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the charge of possessing a firearm in a drug trafficking crime. Both defendants were detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-21.
Heriberto Rodriguez Acosta, 30, of Yakima, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Acosta faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Acosta was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Task Force, Rocky Boy’s Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and Kootenai County, Idaho, Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-97.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on March 9 was:
Jeff David Burke, 37, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Burke faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Burke was released pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and U.S. Postal Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-15.
Michael Shane Oset, 47, of Livingston, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute meth and distribution of meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Oset faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Oset was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Park County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-18.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, wh ich provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Browning man sentenced for assaulting teenage girlRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to assaulting and kicking a teenage girl in the face during an argument on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced on March 8 to five months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Jasper Ryan Rattler, 20, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on Feb. 12, 2021, Rattler was consuming alcohol with the then 16-year-old victim, identified as Jane Doe. After getting into an argument, Rattler assaulted the victim, including kicking her in the face. The assault caused the victim substantial injuries.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers and Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Spokane Law Enforcement Services.
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Wolf Point man suspected in convenience store robbery, carjackings in Billings and Cascade County arraigned on chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Wolf Point man suspected in a convenience store robbery in Billings and armed carjackings in Billings and Cascade County appeared for arraignment on March 7 on multiple charges, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Santana Cruz Ledeau, 26, pleaded not guilty to an indictment filed on March 2 charging him with robbery affecting commerce, two counts of carjacking, attempted carjacking and two counts of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ledeau faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the robbery charge and a mandatory minimum seven years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and three years of release on the firearm charge.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Ledeau was detained pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that on June 11, 2022, Ledeau robbed On the Run, a gas station convenience store in Billings, and threatened an employee, identified as John Doe #1. The indictment further alleges that on Sept. 30, 2022 near Billings, Ledeau brandished a firearm while carjacking a vehicle from a victim identified as Jane Doe. In addition, Ledeau is accused of using a firearm while carjacking a vehicle from a victim identified as John Doe #3 on Oct. 17, 2022 near Cascade, in Cascade County, and attempting to carjack a vehicle from a victim identified as John Doe #2 near Ulm, in Cascade County, also on Oct. 17, 2022.
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. Attorneys Jessica A. Betley and Jeffrey K. Starnes are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, Cascade County Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office, Billings Police Department, Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol.
PACER case reference. 23-23.
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:
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on March 2 was:
Justin Jose Romo, 29, of Kalispell, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Romo faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Romo was detained pending further proceedings. The Northwest Drug Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-14.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on March 1 was:
Jermaine David Richardson, 28, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Richardson faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Richardson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and U.S. Probation Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-19.
Appearing on Feb. 28 was:
Anthony Omarel Kenner, 29, of Tacoma, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Kenner faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug trafficking crimes and a mandatory minimum five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the crime of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Kenner was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-127.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Feb. 27 was:
Shawn Saddler, Sr., 56, of Box Elder, on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact of a minor. If convicted of the most serious crime, Saddler faces a mandatory minimum 30 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release. Saddler was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-12.
Appearing for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint was:
Antonio Penalosa Infante, 36, of Spokane, Washington, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Infante faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charge and a mandatory minimum five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Infante was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-26.
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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Lame Deer man admits sexually abusing boy on Northern Cheyenne Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man today admitted to allegations that he sexually abused a minor boy over several years on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Loy Matthew Bryant, 51, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. Bryant faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Bryant was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that Bryant engaged in sexual relations with the victim, identified as John Doe, who was between the ages 12 years and 16 years, for several years. In September 2022, John Doe, age 17, disclosed that Bryant started sexually abusing him when he was in about the sixth grade. When interviewed by law enforcement, Bryant admitted to having sexual relations with the victim.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF and Billings law enforcement address gun violence in the communityRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, along with federal and local law enforcement officials, today addressed gun violence in the Billings community saying they are committed to keeping citizens safe by investigating and prosecuting the most dangerous offenders who carry and use firearms in drug trafficking or violent crimes, persons who illegally possess guns and those who possess stolen or illegal guns.
During a news conference at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acting Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard, of Denver; Billings Police Chief Rich St. John; and Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito, acknowledged the homicides, non-fatal shootings and other gun violence that have been occurring throughout the Billings area and discussed law enforcement’s strategy for combatting gun crimes.
“There is no doubt that the gun violence racking the Billings community is a serious problem, often leading to tragic results. All citizens have a right to feel safe in their home and their community, which is why our office has made combatting gun crimes a top priority. Through the investigative hard work of our law enforcement partners and the dedication our assistant U.S. attorneys, our federal firearms convictions are on the rise. This coordinated response is critical to reducing violent crime and to getting dangerous offenders off the street,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
"ATF is committed to combating violent crime and illegal firearms trafficking. Crime guns, whether they are stolen, straw-purchased, or obtained through other illegal means, are too often found at the scenes of violent crimes, in the hands of violent offenders,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Our priority is to identify trigger pullers and disband criminal organizations using ATF technology and resources, in partnership with local law enforcement and prosecuting offices."
“Violent crime has dominated the headlines of late causing our citizens to question whether Billings is a safe place to live,” Billings Police Chief Rich St. John said. “The crime concerns are real and gun violence is at the forefront. The increase in gun violence among our youth brings urgency to resolving the problem. Ideally, we would like to stop the violence from occurring in the first place and much work is going into that effort. At the same time, the BPD along with our partners have re-doubled our efforts in enforcement and prosecution. We have made progress, but that is no solace to the families and friends who have lost loved ones. So, we will continue to partner and aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who commits or aids these senseless acts,” he said.
“Yellowstone County has seen far too much gun violence over the past several years. This gun violence does not seem to be slowing and is a challenge that we must overcome by working together,” Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said. “The YCAO is proud to work with local and federal law enforcement partners developing best and new strategies to target Yellowstone County’s most dangerous gun offenders. I appreciate U.S. Attorney Laslovich and his efforts to put a federal focus on our community and prosecute these dangerous offenders. These are the offenders in our community who use illegally obtained firearms to enforce their meth or fentanyl drug distributions or hurt or intimidate others,” he said.
Federal prosecutions for firearms crimes in Montana are increasing. In the past two years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has obtained a record number of convictions on firearms offenses, with 153 convictions 2022 and 157 convictions in 2021. The third highest number of firearms convictions was in 2018, with 132 convictions.
The gun violence, officials said, is being driven mostly by drug trafficking activity involving methamphetamine and fentanyl and by armed robbers seeking to obtain money to buy drugs. The ATF has seized numerous firearms and illegal guns while investigating violent crimes. The agency identified several trends that are contributing to the gun violence in the Billings community:
- Firearms are usually stolen, often from vehicles, or are straw purchased, where a person illegally buys a gun for another person who is prohibited from possessing firearms.
- Almost all shootings are related to drugs.
- Most of the shooters have prior convictions and are on state or federal supervision or are known to the criminal justice system.
Law enforcement said they are working to reduce gun violence through coordinated, multi-agency investigations and prosecutions and through the federal initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods, to ensure that persons who violate federal firearms laws are indicted in federal court and sentenced to federal prison, where there is no parole.
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if a person falls into one of nine prohibited categories, including being a felon, an unlawful user of a controlled substance or an illegal alien. Federal statutes also make it illegal to purchase, or even attempt to illegally purchase, firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally buying a firearm on behalf of another. Lying on an ATF form used to lawfully purchase a firearm and possessing stolen or illegal guns also are federal crimes. In addition, drug dealers who carry firearms to further trafficking activity or persons who possess guns to commit violent crimes face mandatory minimum sentences.
Recent federal prosecutions in Montana include:
- Rodney Trimble, of Billings, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in February for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and for prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Trimble, who had been recently released from a pre-release center, admitted to possessing meth, fentanyl pills and heroin found in his vehicle and told officers he also had been dealing the drugs from the pre-release center. Trimble further admitted to having two firearms he had obtained from “a couple of tweakers on the street” because someone had broken into his residence.
- Joel Zamora, of Billings, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison in March 2022 for possession with intent to distribute meth. Law enforcement found in Zamora’s vehicle a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat, almost one pound of meth in a metal box and $3,500 cash.
- Anthony Ray Morgan, of Billings, was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison in April 2022 for possession with intent to distribute meth. In two traffic stops, law enforcement found Morgan in possession of meth and firearms. In a search of his home, officers found a handgun that had a laser sight and loaded magazine, a rifle, U.S. currency concealed in a soft body armor carrier and approximately 3.75 pounds of meth.
Officials also encouraged the public to help law enforcement reduce gun violence by reporting stolen firearms so they can be returned to the owner if recovered, securing firearms in their homes, not leaving guns in vehicles and calling law enforcement when they see suspicious or criminal activity.
Removing violent criminals from the community is a key goal of the continuing work of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Yellowstone County. PSN is a U.S. Department of Justice initiative that brings together local, state, federal, and tribal agencies and stakeholders to address gun violence and other causes of violent crime in communities. PSN Yellowstone County has identified methamphetamine as the primary cause for violent crime in the community and is working diligently to arrest meth traffickers, armed robbers, and violent felons who possess firearms.
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Roundup man admits coercing minor girl to produce sexually explicit imagesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Roundup man today admitted allegations that he coerced a minor girl into producing sexually explicit images of herself after providing the girl with a laptop, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Marshall Vincent Lucas, 42, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement. Lucas faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to a lifetime in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set 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. Lucas was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in September 2021, Lucas provided the victim, Jane Doe 1, who is under the age of 16 years, with a laptop for purposes of communicating with her. Lucas had met Jane Doe 1 through her mother. Lucas began to correspond with Jane Doe 1 using an alias. Through electronic and in-person communications, Lucas asked Jane Doe 1 how she felt about him and requested nude pictures of her. Lucas persisted, and Jane Doe 1 ultimately provided him with nude pictures of herself that she produced as his direction. Lucas also sent Jane Doe 1 nude pictures of himself and instructed her to delete electronic communications between them.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
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Kalispell man charged with making threats to kill U.S. Senator Jon TesterRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Kalispell man accused of threatening to injure and murder Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester was arraigned on Feb. 23 on an indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said today.
Kevin Patrick Smith, 45, pleaded not guilty to an indictment filed on Feb. 22 charging him with two counts of threats to injure and murder a United States Senator. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Smith was detained pending further proceedings.
According to court documents, on Jan. 30, Smith allegedly made numerous threatening calls to Sen. Tester by phone, leaving voicemails at Sen. Tester’s office in Kalispell. In one instance, Smith stated:
“There is nothing I want more than to have you stand toe to toe with me. You stand toe to toe with me. I rip your head off. You die. You stand in a situation where it is physical between you and me. You die.
“I will never stop.…And I would love to destroy you and rip your (obscenity) head from your shoulders. That is no problem. Call that a threat. Send the FBI.
“I would love to (obscenity) kill you. I would love to see your FBI at my door. I would love to see something in the news”
According to court documents, Smith allegedly acknowledged in the recording that he threatened Sen. Tester and such threats were “on purpose.”
Court documents further allege that on Feb. 1, the FBI contacted Smith and instructed him not to threaten physical violence toward Sen. Tester. On Feb. 10, Smith again called Sen. Tester, stating in one voice message, “I want you to understand. If I ever pull my trigger, I know what dies.”
As further alleged in the indictment, Smith stated in another voicemail, “It is important for you to understand that I won’t live under your rule.…If it becomes time that I die, I’d take a significant number with me.”
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 Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Capitol Police.
PACER case reference. 23-15.
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:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Feb. 24 was:
Moises Zamora, 38, of Greely, Colorado, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Zamora faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Zamora was detained pending further proceedings. The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-20.
Appearing on Feb. 23 was:
Edwin Ivan Don’tMix, 59, of Crow Agency, on charges of abusive sexual contact. If convicted of the most serious crime, Don’tMix faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Don’tMix was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-147.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Feb. 22 was:
Bo Jordan Bradley, 31, of Bozeman, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bradley faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Bradley was released pending further proceedings. The Montana Probation and Parole and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-01.
Appearing on Feb. 21 was:
Joseph Anthony Schrantz, 35, of Missoula, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and unlawful taking of firearm form a licensed firearm dealer. If convicted of the most serious crime, Schrantz faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Schrantz was detained pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department, Montana Probation and Parole, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-6.
Darcel Portra Saunders, 65, of Bozeman, on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted of the most serious crime, Saunders faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Saunders was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-02.
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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Felon admits illegal possession of firearm after offering to sell pistol, illegal switches for firearm conversionRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A California man suspected of offering to sell an undercover agent a pistol and switches used to convert firearms from semiautomatic to fully automatic admitted to a firearm charge today, U. S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Drew Parker Seymour, 24, of Banning, California, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Seymour 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. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Seymour was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Seymour has a felony conviction in California for illegally possessing a firearm. In March 2022 in Billings, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives learned that a person online offered to sell an individual illegal Glock switches, which are used to convert firearms from semiautomatic to fully automatic. The seller was later identified as Seymour. An undercover agent began communicating with Seymour, who offered to sell the agent Glock switches and a .45 caliber pistol. Seymour sent pictures of both. Seymour later withdrew his offer to sell the Glock switches. The undercover agent agreed to meet Seymour to buy the pistol. Earlier that day, before the meeting occurred, drug task force agents detained Seymour and his girlfriend at a U.S. Post Office in Billings as the couple was attempting to pick up a package of fentanyl. Law enforcement searched the couple’s motel room and located a .45-caliber, semiautomatic pistol hidden under a mattress. The pistol looked to be identical to the firearm in the pictures Seymour had sent, and Seymour’s fingerprint was recovered on the magazine of the gun.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Hargrove is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department, U.S. Postal Service and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
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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Busby man admits strangling womanRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Busby man today admitted to strangling a woman while both were in a vehicle on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Tysawn Dantae Pine, 24, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with strangulation. Pine 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. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Pine was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Pine and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, had been in a dating relationship. On April 9, 2022, Jane Doe was asleep when she heard knocking. Pine had left the evening before and had been drinking and using methamphetamine. Pine forced himself into the house and then told Jane Doe they were going to his grandmother’s house. They got into a car and Jane Doe started to drive. Pine refused to get out of the car when they arrived at his grandmother’s house. The two argued inside the vehicle, and Pine began assaulting and strangling Jane Doe. Later that day, Jane Doe was examined for injuries at the emergency room.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
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