District of Montana
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Box Elder man sentenced to 78 months in prison for witness tampering in attempted murder investigation on Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man who admitted to intimidating and threatening a witness who would testify against him regarding his involvement in a kidnapping and attempted murder on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 78 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Leon Houle, 37, pleaded guilty in January to witness tampering as charged in a superseding information.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 17, 2019, by Houle’s command, Dakota Houle, Houle’s brother, shot the victim, identified as John Doe, in the back as the victim attempted to run from his would-be killers. The Houle brothers, along with two women, lured John Doe to a residence where they planned to rob him of methamphetamine and kill him. The Houle brothers beat John Doe with weapons when he arrived, robbed him at gunpoint, forced him to remove his shoes and told him they were taking him to the mountains to kill him. The brothers forced John Doe into his own car as pleaded for his life. Leon Houle drove the vehicle, with John Doe in the front passenger seat and Dakota Houle directly behind the victim in the rear passenger seat with a shotgun in his hand. When the vehicle slowed near a cattle guard, John Doe jumped out of the moving car and tried to run through the snow. The government further alleged that Leon Houle told Dakota Houle to “Shoot him!” Dakota Houle shot the victim in the back of the head. Believing John Doe was dead, the Houle brothers and others fled on foot. John Doe survived and suffered severe and permanent injuries. Leon Houle continues to deny involvement in the kidnapping and shooting of John Doe.
Leon Houle was indicted on five felony charges related to the shooting. While in custody on the charges, Leon Houle made statements to another person, identified as John Doe II, about the crimes and then contacted various individuals in an attempt to influence or prevent John Doe II’s testimony. The government further alleged that after pleading guilty in January, Leon Houle continued to threaten and harass witnesses by making threatening gestures, including throat-cutting and trigger-pulling gestures, to the witnesses.
Dakota Houle previously was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for conviction on assault with intent to commit murder and other crimes in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Cobell and Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services.
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Missoula man admits trafficking and firearm crimes after law enforcement seize more than seven pounds of meth, fentanyl and a handgunRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man today admitted to drug trafficking and firearm crimes after law enforcement seized more than seven pounds of meth from his residence and vehicle, fentanyl and a handgun, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Carlos Guatimea Aguirre, 35, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Aguirre 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 crime 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 crime.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for Aug. 24 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. Aguirre was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that from about September 2020 until October 2021, Aguirre and a co-defendant, were trafficking meth and fentanyl. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Aguirre to execute a search warrant on the car. Aguirre removed a pouch from his chest as he got out of the car and placed it inside the vehicle. A subsequent search determined that the pouch contained a Glock 9mm handgun. Law enforcement also located a quarter pound of meth that was packaged for sale inside the car. Officers also served a search warrant on Aguirre’s residence and located 6.9 pounds of meth and fentanyl pills. Seven pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 25,368 doses. The investigation showed that Aguirre made 34 wire transfers from August 2019 to September 2021 to addresses in Billings; Fresno, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, totaling approximately $22,000, and that he traveled multiple times to Fresno and Sacramento, California, and to Spokane, Washington.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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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 May 5 was:
Shaydel Alissa Spang, 25, of Lame Deer, on charges of strangulation. If convicted of the most serious crime, Spang faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Spang was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-49.
Appearing on May 2 was:
William Paul Jefferson, 36, of Lodge Grass, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jefferson faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Jefferson was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-42.
Charles Antonio Gray, 46, of Everett, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gray faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Gray was detained pending further proceedings. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-16.
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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Kalispell businesswoman accused of running money mule business to launder funds overseas from wire fraud schemes in the United StatesRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Kalispell woman suspected of operating a money mule business to collect money from various wire fraud schemes occurring in the United States and then sending the funds overseas in return for a commission appeared today for arraignment on conspiracy and money laundering charges, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Theresa Anne Chabot, 57, pleaded not guilty to a 30-count indictment charging her with unlicensed money transmitting business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, 17 counts of money laundering-promotion and 11 counts of money laundering-spending. If convicted of the most serious crime, Chabot faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Judge DeSoto released Chabot pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that from about May 2016 until about February 2021, Chabot conspired with others and through her business, Avalanche Creek, LLC, an unregistered money transmitting business, to operate as a money mule related to various wire fraud schemes occurring in the United States. The wire fraud schemes included advance pay schemes, internet-enabled frauds, investment schemes, romance schemes, lottery and sweepstakes frauds and COVID-19 funding fraud. A money mule is a person who transfers illegally acquired money for other individuals. Money mules often receive a commission for providing their services.
The indictment further alleges that during the scheme, Chabot opened more than 50 bank accounts, collected the proceeds from the wire fraud schemes and then transmitted the money overseas. Banks closed numerous accounts after reviewing the activity, and at least 15 banks directly informed Chabot the accounts were being closed because of fraud, in violation of bank policies and other identified misuse. Despite repeated account closures, Chabot opened new bank accounts that enabled her to receive proceeds from fraud schemes with victims located in the United States. Chabot received a fee, which in many instances totaled approximately 10 percent of the fraudulent proceeds deposited into her bank accounts. Chabot would then forward the remaining funds overseas, including to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and the 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 IRS Criminal Investigations.
PACER case reference. 22-18.
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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Belgrade woman admits embezzling from employerRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Belgrade woman on May 3 admitted to allegations that she embezzled what the government calculated to be more than $800,000 from her employer while working as an accountant and controller, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
Renae Swanson, 59, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Swanson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Aug. 23 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. Swanson was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Swanson was an accountant and controller for Williams Plumbing & Heating. Swanson’s duties included uploading electronic payroll files to the bank for funding and processing payroll transactions to the company’s employees. From about December 2012 until May 2019, Swanson fraudulently altered that process, resulting in her increasing the amount of money she received from Williams Plumbing & Heating, none of which was authorized. The government calculated that Swanson embezzled approximately $805,013.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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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 April 28 was:
Nicholas James Real Bird, 28, of Billings, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Real Bird faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release. Real Bird was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-46.
Appearing on April 27 was:
Cole Michael Graves, 22, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and receipt of a firearm while under indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Graves faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Graves was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-41.
Appearing on April 26 was:
Nathaniel Jay Reed, 35, of Hardin, on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Reed faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release. Reed was detained pending further proceedings. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-47.
Daniel Thomas Whitby, 36, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Whitby faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Whitby was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-50.
Makyla Shayd Fetter, 27, of Harlem, and Taliah Jeneane Ramirez, 22, of Billings, on charges of robbery affecting commerce, possession of firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a firearm in a school zone. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fetter and Ramirez face 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 10 years to life in prison, consecutive to any other crime, on the charge of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Fetter and Ramirez were detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-40.
Keaton Trey Souza, 20, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Souza faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Souza was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-48.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 26 was:
Marco Antonio Cruz-Soriano, 38, of Honduras, on charges of illegal reentry of removed alien. If convicted of the most serious crime Cruz-Soriano faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. The U.S. Border Patrol and Toole County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-26.
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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Lodge Grass meth dealer sentenced to five years in prison for drug trafficking from his Crow Indian Reservation homeRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who admitted to dealing methamphetamine from his home on the Crow Indian Reservation after individuals confirmed to Drug Enforcement Administration agents that he had been trafficking meth for a number of years was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Robert Roswald Redfield, 48, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered the forfeiture of approximately 146 firearms and about $30,000 in cash seized from Redfield’s residence.
In court documents, the government alleged that in February 2020, law enforcement with Big Horn County, with assistance of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, had information that a state escapee from the Three Rivers detention facility in Hardin was hiding out in the home of Redfield and co-defendant Krystal Firebear. Officers did not find the fugitive, but saw in plain view drugs, money and guns. After obtaining a tribal search warrant, officers seized more than 90 firearms, eight grams of meth and more than $30,000 in cash. DEA agents interviewed a number of individuals who confirmed that Redfield was a meth distributor and had been for a number of years. While executing another search warrant at Redfield’s residence about a year later, agents seized about 15 grams of meth and 56 guns. Previously, Firebear was sentenced to probation for conviction in the case of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the DEA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Missoula nurse sentenced for felony drug diversionRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula nurse who admitted to diverting fentanyl and hydromorphone from Community Medical Center for her own use was sentenced today to two years of probation and fined $2,000, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Mary Schmidt Monahan, 61, pleaded guilty in January to unlawfully obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deception, and subterfuge.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that from July 2020 until about February 2021, Monahan, who is a nurse at Community Medical Center in Missoula, diverted fentanyl and hydromorphone. In January 2021, a coworker noticed Monahan acting suspiciously and observed Monahan with her back to a patient filling syringes with two drug vials. Monahan put something in her jacket pocket, pulled up her right arm sleeve to her elbow, stepped into the corner of the curtain, then returned and wiped her arm with an alcohol pad and raised it for about a minute. Shortly afterward, Monahan asked the coworker to witness her disposal of the medications Dilaudid and fentanyl. In February 2021, another coworker saw Monahan doing something with her hands before placing a vial into her scrub’s pocket. The coworker noted that Monahan was acting in an anxious manner and reported the incident. Monahan’s supervisors confronted her, and she admitted to stealing narcotics and using them. A search of Monahan’s bag revealed unmarked syringes, some of which were used, and some contained liquid, and wrappers from used alcohol swabs. Monahan provided a urine sample, which tested positive for fentanyl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Missoula Police Department.
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Missoula felon sentenced to 46 months in prison for possessing 10 firearms, ammunitionRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to illegally possessing firearms after law enforcement recovered a high-capacity AR-15 rifle and ammunition from his vehicle and nine other firearms and a pipe bomb from his residence was sentenced today to 46 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Paul Joseph Richter, 58, pleaded guilty in February to prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in November 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Missoula received an anonymous tip that Richter was a felon in possession of firearms. Richter had a federal felony conviction in Montana for felon in possession of a firearm. Agents saw Richter carry what appeared to be a rifle into his residence and then later leave and drive to the Veteran’s Administration clinic. While Richter was in the clinic, agents looked in the windows of Richter’s vehicle and saw an AR-type rifle on the front passenger floorboard. Agents detained Richter when he left the clinic. Richter told agents he had eight guns and approximately 5,000 rounds of ammunition at his residence. Richter also said he had recently completed federal supervision and didn’t believe in the idea his firearm rights should be taken away. He told agents that he thought he would never “get called on it again. Any normal person would be done but not me.”
Agents executed search warrants on Richter’s residence and vehicle and recovered an AR-15 rifle in close proximity to three magazines that were capable of holding more than 15 rounds for the gun, 25 rounds of .223 ammunition and other ammunition from the vehicle. From Richter’s residence, agents recovered nine firearms, assorted ammunition, a suspected PVC pipe bomb and a suspected smoke grenade.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for April 30, 2022Read the Press Release
BILLINGS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.
“A majority of people who abuse prescription medications get them from family, friends or the medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day is an important step to help reduce the epidemic of opioid deaths, overdoses and addiction by getting rid of unneeded and expired prescriptions. I encourage Montanans to help protect their families, friends and community by dropping off unused prescription drugs at collection sites across the state,” U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
“We are facing a drug overdose epidemic that reaches every corner of America. Prescription medications often end up in the wrong hands, fueling an epidemic that kills more Americans than car accidents,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Stacy Zinn-Brittain. “The power to make a difference starts at home, beginning with disposing of the unused, unwanted or expired medications that people keep in their homes.”
More than 30 sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal agencies across Montana are participating in Take Back Day. Information about collection sites and more information about event is available here: https://takebackday.dea.gov/
During the last Take Back Day held on Oct. 23, 2021, 4,276 law enforcement participants at 4,982 collection sites brought in a total weight of 744,082 pounds, or 372 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 15.2 million pounds, or more than 7,634 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs.
During the Oct. 23, 2021 event, Montanans turned in 2,352 pounds of prescription drugs at 42 collection sites. Forty-one law enforcement agencies participated.
In addition to DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day on April 30, prescription drugs can be disposed of any day throughout the year at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors. For more information on collection sites, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.
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Columbia Falls man suspected in armed robbery of pharmacy appears in courtRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Columbia Falls man suspected of robbing a Columbia Falls pharmacy of drugs at gunpoint appeared in court today for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
The criminal complaint accuses Grant Alan West, 37, with a Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted of the most serious crime, West faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. West was detained pending further proceedings.
Court documents allege that on April 13, Columbia Falls Police Department officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Logan Health Pharmacy inside the Super 1 Grocery Store. Three victims reported that shortly before closing for the day, a man wearing a beanie, sunglasses and a mask entered the pharmacy, brandished a handgun and said, “Percocet 10.” One of the victims grabbed a bottle of Percocet and put it in a tote bag the man carried. The three victims went into a bathroom and the man directed them to wait several minutes before they came out. When they came out of the bathroom, the victims called police and reported the robbery. An investigation led to West as the suspect, and he was arrested later that night.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Columbia Falls Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
PACER case reference. 22-34.
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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Belgrade meth trafficker sentenced to 54 months in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Belgrade man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine with others in the community after investigators found nearly a half-pound of the drug during a vehicle stop was sentenced today to 54 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Max Dudley Stilson, 57, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that during an investigation of Stilson for distributing meth by the Missouri River Drug Task Force, an individual purchased a total of one and one-half ounces of meth from Stilson on two occasions. On the second buy, Stilson said he was going to meet another person to get more drugs. Investigators observed Stilson meet with co-defendant Arthur Kane. In addition, in November 2020, task force officers learned Stilson was traveling to Billings with a large amount of meth. A Montana Highway Patrol trooper stopped Stilson’s vehicle and investigators found almost a half- pound of meth. The vehicle was registered to another co-defendant Jared Williams. Another witness told investigators that he had purchased ounce quantities totaling one pound of meth over a four-month period from Stilson. Stilson admitted that he and Williams worked together to distribute drugs. Williams was sentenced to eight years in prison for conviction in the case, while Kane was sentenced to five years and a fourth co-defendant, Marty McDonald, was sentenced to four years in prison for conviction in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Montana Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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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 April 20 was:
Adam Alexander Williams, 33, of Auburn, Washington, on charges of interference with flight crew members and attendants. If convicted of the most serious crime, Williams faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Williams was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-33.
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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Virginia equipment company owner sentenced, fined $50,000 for role in scheme to defraud Roundup coal mineRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Virginia equipment company owner who admitted to defrauding Signal Peak Energy, LLC, which operates a coal mine near Roundup, of nearly $250,000 in an equipment purchase scheme was sentenced today to four years of probation, fined $50,000 and ordered to pay restitution, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Robert Wayne Ramsey, 56, of Bluefield, Virginia, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters ordered Ramsey to pay $246,268 restitution.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in March 2017, Larry J. Price, Signal Peak’s former vice president of surface operations, also owned Three Solutions, LLC. It was generally known that Signal Peak purchased significant materials through Three Solutions. Ramsey’s company, Peters Equipment Company (PEC), was doing work at Signal Peak and bidding on additional jobs. Ramsey understood that Price had the final say in awarding many of the Signal Peak jobs.
The government further alleged that in March 2017, Price asked Ramsey for help with a business transaction for Signal Peak. Price told Ramsey that Signal Peak needed to purchase equipment manufactured by a third-party distributor with whom Signal Peak’s upper management was unwilling to do business because of a dispute. Price asked if Ramsey, through PEC, would buy the equipment and sell it to Signal Peak in return for a $250,000 markup.
Price later told Ramsey that PEC should not buy the equipment and instead pay Price’s company, Three Solutions, for the price of the equipment while billing Signal Peak for the amount, plus the markup. Ramsey knew Price was using PEC as an intermediary to disguise the source of the equipment. Ramsey understood that he was deceiving certain Signal Peak managers about the source of the equipment and that the managers did not know PEC was being paid an additional $246,134 to serve as an intermediary. Ramsey also knew that Signal Peak would pay $246,134 more for the equipment as a result of making the purchase through PEC.
Price was sentenced in October 2020 to five years in prison for conviction on multiple crimes stemming from a broad corruption investigation into mine management and operations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin M. Rubich, Zeno B. Baucus and Timothy Tatarka prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, IRS and Environmental Protection Agency.
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Billings man admits trafficking crime after law enforcement seize 10 pounds of meth from vehicleRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man suspected of breaking into the Drug Enforcement Administration’s garage and entering his impounded vehicle from which agents had seized approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine admitted to a trafficking crime today, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Anthony Jacob Johnson, 43, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Johnson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.
U.S. 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. Johnson was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in January 2021, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation agents began investigating co-defendant, Stacie Thein, for meth distribution. Thein has pleaded not guilty to charges. The investigation led to Johnson as Thein’s source. Agents determined that Johnson traveled to Colorado in March and again in April 2021. Upon Johnson’s return to Montana, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop of Johnson’s vehicle. A search warrant was served on the vehicle, and agents located 10 vacuumed sealed bricks of meth. The bricks totaled approximately 10.39 pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of about 37,653 doses. The next day, the DEA discovered a large hole in a garage door at its facility. Evidence showed that Johnson had gone to the facility the night before, cut a large hole in the garage and entered his seized vehicle while it was in DEA’s custody. Johnson admitted to agents that he was distributing large amounts of meth he obtained from a source in Denver, Colorado.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the DEA and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Flathead Valley construction company owner sentenced to 70 months in prison for fraud schemeRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Flathead Valley construction company owner who admitted to defrauding numerous customers was sentenced today to 70 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $543,859 restitution, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Craig Mark Draper, 55, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Judge Molloy ordered Draper remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service. In addition, Judge Molloy dismissed nine other wire fraud counts and two money laundering counts under the terms of a plea agreement reached by the parties.
The government alleged in court documents that Draper took money from customers for construction materials and failed to obtain the materials and complete the projects. The case involved 25 victims, including customers, vendors and former employees, some of whom suffered significant financial hardships as a result of Draper’s actions.
The government alleged that Draper moved to the Flathead Valley in 2017 and formed a company called ADI Builders. Draper started bidding on a variety of jobs, including the construction of pole barns, shops and residential remodels.
In several instances, Draper provided invoices to customers for specific expenses associated with their projects. Draper admitted that he sent an invoice to a customer for $59,002, which included $8,000 in charges for siding. The customer wired $59,002 to Draper. The customer never received siding from Draper and eventually paid the vendor directly for the siding included in Draper’s invoice. Draper used some of the wired money for personal expenses unrelated to the customer’s project, including paying a company in Iowa for trophies for the winners of car races, paying an outfitter in Utah, making cash withdrawals and paying $9,500 to the Salish and Kootenai Tribes to lease their racetrack.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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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 12 was:
Jasper Ryan Rattler, 19, of Browning, on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Rattler faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Rattler was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-4.
Michael Lee Roope, 42, of Helena, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Roope faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Roope was detained pending further proceedings. The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Probation and Parole and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-2.
Romeiro Mased Williams, aka Rico, 30, of Detroit, Michigan, 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, Williams faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Williams was released pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Task Force, Russell Country High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-72.
Megan Kaszha Yellow Owl, 32, of Lodge Grass, on charges of arson. If convicted of the most serious crime, Yellow Owl faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Yellow Owl was released pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-14.
Lyndon Blaine Walsh, 54, of Kalispell, on charges of possession of unregistered firearm silencer and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Walsh faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Walsh was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-18.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on April 14 was:
Calob Scott Fairburn, 35, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fairburn faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Fairburn was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-30.
Christopher James Ortiz, 30, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ortiz faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ortiz was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-32.
Baily Kathleen Lind, 28, a transient, on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lind faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the bank fraud crime and a mandatory minimum two years in prison, consecutive to any other punishment, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft crime. Lind was detained pending further proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations and the Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-31.
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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Great Falls meth trafficker sentenced to four years in prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to distributing methamphetamine in the community was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Mark Edwin Abresch, 63, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that Abresch distributed meth in the Great Falls community between September 2020 and April 2021. In a two-week period from the end of March to the beginning of April 2021, Abresch distributed more than 89 grams of meth in four controlled buys.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica A. Betley and Kalah A. Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Great Falls Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Shepherd restaurant owner sentenced for COVID relief fraud; forfeited vintage vehicles bought with business loan aidRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Shepherd man who owns the Feedlot Steakhouse in Shepherd was sentenced today to three years of probation, ordered to pay restitution and forfeited vintage vehicles he admitted to buying with approximately $75,000 in a COVID-19 relief loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) instead of using the money to help his business, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Michael Eugene Bolte, 70, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to theft of government money, property or records, a misdemeanor, as charged in a superseding information.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters ordered $76,989 restitution to the SBA. In addition, the government previously seized and Bolte forfeited four vintage automobiles purchased with the funds: a 1916 Studebaker, a 1929 Franklin, a 1939 Ford Deluxe, and a 1941 Ford Super Deluxe.
The government alleged in court documents that on April 1, 2020, Bolte applied to the SBA for a business loan under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. On May 24, 2020, Bolte signed a loan agreement for $74,800 and expressly acknowledged the EIDL loan would be used solely as working capital for his business. Bolte’s intent at the time of signing for the loan was to buy vintage automobiles as an investment, and not as working capital for his business. Eleven days after receiving the loan, Bolte wrote a check for $75,000 for the purchase of four vintage vehicles. The SBA would not have approved or funded Bolte’s loan had it known Bolte’s intended and actual use of the funds.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Kakuk prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the SBA Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
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Philipsburg woman admits lying to receive federal Social Security and health benefitsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Philipsburg woman accused of lying about her living arrangements and assets in order to receive more Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and other federal aid than she was entitled to receive admitted to charges today, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Virginia Kathleen Pearson, 56, pleaded guilty to false statements to a government agency as charged in an indictment. Pearson faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
A plea agreement reached in the case calls for the government to seek dismissal of remaining counts of health care fraud, theft of government money and Social Security fraud at sentencing if the court accepts the agreement. Pearson also agrees to be responsible for full restitution of approximately $142,542.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for Sept. 1 before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. Pearson was released on conditions pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that in 2006, Pearson applied for Social Security Income (SSI) from the SSA and was approved for benefits in 2008. For an initial assessment, Pearson reported that her husband lived with her in Philipsburg, and she started receiving SSA payments in a reduced amount because of her husband’s income. In September 2008, Pearson reported that her husband had left her household. SSA recalculated Pearson’s SSI and she began receiving substantially larger payments. From November 2008 until about December 2020, Pearson received Cost of Living Adjustment letters notifying her that her payments would increase and of her obligation to report changes to her household composition and income. Pearson also began receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds and Medicaid based on her representations that her husband did not live with her or provide her with financial assistance.
The government further alleged that in August 2019, Pearson’s husband applied for Social Security retirement benefits, reported he was married to Pearson and lived at the same residence with her since 2000. An investigation found that Pearson said she lived alone, paid a monthly rent and signed a form stating that her husband lived at an address in Anaconda. The investigation found that Pearson and her husband jointly owned the Philipsburg residence, and that rent should not have been deducted from Pearson’s resources. Pearson also did not disclose additional bank accounts and vehicles in her and her husband’s name and possession.
Pearson initially denied her husband lived at her house but later admitted he stayed there about 50 percent of the time. Pearson also admitted she knew she had to report changes in her household to SSA. Pearson’s misrepresentations resulted in an overpayment of SSI in the amount of $101,136, SNAP funds totaling $23,203 and Medicaid reimbursement of $18,203.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
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Great Falls construction company official sentenced to 14 months in prison for embezzling from clientRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — The finance manager of William Tempel Construction in Great Falls was sentenced on April 12 to 14 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised released, for embezzling, as alleged by the government, more than $500,000 from a client who had hired the company to build her multi-million-dollar dream home, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Lynn Bapp Tempel, 60, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to wire fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered restitution and set a subsequent hearing to determine the full amount. A plea agreement calls for Tempel to be responsible for complete restitution, which the government estimated is $519,524. Chief Judge Morris allowed Tempel to self-report to prison.
In court documents, the government alleged that Tempel managed the finances of William Tempel Construction, which the victim trusted, hired and paid $4.41 million to build a dream home. Instead, Lynn Tempel stole money from the victim from 2013 to 2016. When caught, Lynn Tempel did not admit her fraud, rather she falsified 153 subcontractor invoices to cover up her scheme. Lynn Tempel provided to the victim invoices in which she had fraudulently inflated the amount of payment required. Lynn Tempel also withdrew $566,848 in cash from the company’s business account during the period of the fraud. The government further alleged at sentencing that Lynn Tempel falsified IRS form 1099s for a family member, which underreported income for that family member by $399,525. Such an underreport then allowed the family member to illegally receive Medicaid.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Great Falls Police Department.
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Cascade woman charged in student loan fraud schemeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Cascade woman suspected of fraudulently obtaining federal student financial aid by using the names of other individuals to enroll at the Great Falls College and then using those identities to receive financial aid appeared on April 12 on conspiracy, fraud and identity theft crimes, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Ricci Lea Castellanos, 34, also of Redding, California, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment to a 14-count indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and student financial aid fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Castellanos faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the conspiracy and wire fraud crimes and two years in prison in addition to punishment for underlying felony, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft crime.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Castellanos was released pending further proceedings.
The indictment alleges that between January 2016 and December 2019, Castellanos enrolled unwitting family members and others in online classes at the 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. The indictment further alleges that Castellanos and others fraudulently used and submitted multiple American Indian Tuition Waivers. To support such applications, 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, and which were then diverted by Castellanos and others.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and the 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 Department of Education Office of Inspector General.
PACER case reference. 22-17.
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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Billings meth trafficker sentenced to more than nine years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine in the community after law enforcement found more than three pounds of the drug and firearms at his residence was sentenced today to nine years and nine months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Anthony Ray Morgan, 32, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth in October 2021.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that in 2019, law enforcement became aware of Morgan’s drug dealing and found a handgun and 15 grams of meth in a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Morgan. In another traffic stop in September 2021 of a vehicle driven by Morgan, investigators found an ounce of meth, $950 in U.S. currency and a firearm on his person. Investigators executed a search warrant on the vehicle and found nearly one pound of meth and fentanyl pills. Law enforcement served a search warrant on Morgan’s residence and found a handgun that had a laser sight and loaded magazine, U.S. currency concealed in a soft body armor carrier, a rifle and approximately 3.75 pounds of meth, which is the equivalent of about 13,616 doses, in several plastic bags.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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U.s. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana Commemorates Sexual Assault Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – The Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana join survivors, advocates, and communities nationwide in April to observe Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Sexual violence is far too prevalent, and it is important to not only to raise awareness of the myriad forms of sexual violence, but to engage in meaningful prevention efforts, take action to hold offenders accountable, and care for survivors in a trauma-informed manner.
U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson joins the Department of Justice and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) in applauding the recent passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022), which treats sexual assault as the serious violation it is and creates new programs and initiatives that provide survivors of sexual violence with increased access to services and justice.
One such program is the Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) program, which cross-designates tribal prosecutors as SAUSAs to support tribes and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in investigating and prosecuting cases involving sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, and certain sex trafficking offenses. VAWA 2022 also expands outreach to survivors in underserved communities, including by improving access to sexual assault medical forensic examinations for survivors in rural areas, providing community-specific services for LGBT survivors, and restoring tribes’ jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators of sexual violence and sex trafficking, among certain other offenses committed on tribal lands.
“Sexual violence has no place in society, yet it is a real, horrible and under-reported crime, especially in our tribal communities. All individuals, women, men and children, deserve to be safe from violence, including sexual violence. This office will continue to seek justice for victims by prosecuting and holding offenders accountable and supports healing and recovery for survivors while strengthening prevention and education efforts,” U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
“During Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and every month, OVW-funded programs across the nation provide essential services to survivors of sexual assault, responding to their needs, helping them heal, and supporting them as they pursue the justice they seek,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Allison Randall. “The impact of sexual violence is felt by the entire community and can devastate survivors’ lives, which is why it is critical that VAWA 2022 strengthens not just services and justice interventions but also prevention.”
According to the CDC and Prevention 2015 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey:
- 43.6% of women and 24.8% of men have experienced contact sexual violence,
- 21.3% of women and 2.6% of men reported being raped or subject to attempted rape in their lifetime,
- 37% of women and 17.9% of men have experienced unwanted sexual contact.
And according to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) study on Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people face disproportionate levels of violence, including sexual assault. Approximately 56.1% of AI/AN women and 27.5% of AI/AN men report experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, with many of these assaults at the hands of non-Indian perpetrators.
OVW funds resources in every jurisdiction, please see this website which lists OVW FY21 awards by state. In 2021, OVW awarded $7.1 million in grants to 11 organizations/resources in Montana for survivors of sexual assault.
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges.
If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced sexual violence, you are not alone and there are many services available to help, including the Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), and the StrongHearts Native Helpline, 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483).
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Great Falls meth trafficker sentenced to 54 months in prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls woman who admitted to working with others to bring approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas, Nevada, back to Montana for distribution was sentenced today to 54 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Ashley Nicole Rico, 34, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Rico pooled money with co-defendants and traveled with them to Las Vegas, Nevada, to buy meth. Rico waited while co-defendants went to the source and purchased the meth and then traveled back to Montana with them. Law enforcement intervened before Rico received her portion of the meth. Law enforcement seized approximately seven pounds of meth. Officers ultimately stopped a vehicle being driven by co-defendant Lillian Lapier and found about 3.6 pounds of meth in the trunk. Law enforcement also executed a search warrant on the Helena residence of co-defendant, Rhonda Lapier, and located three, one-pound bags of meth and $6,132 in a bedroom. Officers stopped another suspect vehicle, driven by Rico, who was arrested on a state warrant. Rico admitted to distributing meth in Great Falls and that she and others had traveled to Las Vegas, picked up meth there and had contributed $1,000 to the deal. Seven pounds of meth is the equivalent of approximately 25,368 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, FBI, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Butte woman admits stealing more than $600,000 from victim under her guardianshipRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Butte woman accused of embezzling more than $600,000 from a woman who was under her guardianship and using the money to buy a house on Canyon Ferry, a vehicle and other items admitted to fraud charges today, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Debra Gean Roeber, 66, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to money laundering as charged in an information during an initial appearance hearing. Roeber faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud count.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for Aug. 10 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. Roeber was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Roeber was a guardian and had power of attorney for the victim, identified as Jane Doe, who was unable to care for herself or her financial needs without assistance because she was blind. Roeber served as a fiduciary for Jane Doe. From about January 2017 until June 2020, Roeber allegedly embezzled approximately $681,549 from Jane Doe. Bank records showed that Roeber used Jane Doe’s money to purchase a home and shop on Canyon Ferry, construction costs, vehicles, furniture and a pontoon boat, none of which was authorized. When interviewed by agents, Roeber admitted she took advantage of Jane Doe “a lot,” including lying to the victim about her finances, and that she stole from Jane Doe. Jane Doe is now deceased.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Billings man admits attempted coercion, enticement of minor for sex in undercover investigationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man accused of trying to coerce and entice a girl he believed to be a minor into engaging in sexual activity during an undercover investigation admitted to charges on April 7, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
Jason Robert Kroepelin, 32, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement. Kroepelin faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters set sentencing for Aug. 17. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. Kroepelin was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in late October 2021, Kroepelin posted an advertisement on the internet seeking a young female for sexual purpose. In response, an undercover FBI employee, using a fictitious persona, contacted Kroepelin about a young girl, also fictitious, who was available.
Kroepelin and the undercover employee exchanged messages, engaged in sexually explicit conversation about the fictitious girl and agreed to meet at a property in Billings. Kroepelin also contacted a social media account purportedly belonging to the fictitious girl and sent a picture of himself. On Oct. 28, Kroepelin was arrested when he arrived at an agreed upon location in Billings. Kroepelin had condoms and lubricant in his pocket and a cellular phone showing his communication with the undercover employee.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
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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Belgrade construction company co-owner admits failing to pay $2.8 million in employee, employer taxesRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — The co-owner of H & H Earthworks, Inc., a Belgrade-based construction company that does commercial site-development work in four states, admitted to failing to pay the IRS approximately $2.8 million in employee and employer taxes, and instead, spent some of the money on personal expenses, including recreational and motorsport vehicles, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said today.
Melissa Lynne Horner, 42, of Bozeman, pleaded guilty on April 8 to one count of failure to truthfully account for and pay over withholding and F.I.C.A. taxes, a felony, and one count of failure to file employer’s quarterly return and pay tax, a misdemeanor, during an arraignment and plea change hearing. Horner faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the felony charge. Horner was charged in a 34-count information.
A plea agreement reached by the parties calls for the government to seek the dismissal of 32 remaining counts and for Horner to be responsible for total restitution of $2,878,522 if the court accepts the agreement at sentencing.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Aug. 10 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. Horner was released pending further proceedings.
“As the financial executive for Earthworks, Horner withheld nearly $3 million from employee wages to cover payroll, Medicare and Social Security taxes. Rather than pay over those amounts to the IRS as required by law, Horner spent the money on personal expenses like motorcycles, a motor home, and home renovations. As the deadline for filing tax returns approaches, the public should be aware that people like Horner who willfully violate the tax laws will be investigated and charged with felony tax crimes that can result in significant penalties including prison time, fines, and restitution,” U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
“Payroll tax evasion is not just a crime against the United States Government, but also a crime impacting the employees of Earthworks as it results in the reduction of their benefits.” said Andy Tsui, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Denver Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation will vigorously pursue anyone who collects these taxes and uses these funds for their own personal gain."
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that H & H Earthworks, Inc., is a Belgrade-based family business co-founded in 2004 by Horner, who is responsible for the financial portion of the business. Earthworks is a full-service commercial site-development firm whose projects include schools, shopping centers, hospitals and residential subdivisions in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Idaho. The company employed between 20 and 60 employees during 2014 through 2019.
For approximately five years, beginning in March 2014 through 2019, Horner had Earthworks pay hundreds of thousands of dollars of expenditures for her personal benefit while, at the same time, it failed to pay over to the IRS payroll tax required to be withheld from Earthworks’ employees’ paychecks. Horner spent more than $100,000 to purchase and maintain personal motorsport vehicles, including dirt bikes and snowmobiles, $90,000 to a real estate title company in Bozeman, at least $50,000 on personal home renovations and $20,000 for a motorhome.
The government further alleged that Horner withdrew Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes from the wages paid to Earthworks employees and failed to pay over the trust fund taxes to the IRS. Horner also failed to pay over Earthworks’ portion of the FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes). In addition, Horner failed to file quarterly Forms 941, Employer’s Quarterly federal tax returns, prior to being notified of the criminal investigation. Horner subsequently filed the delinquent forms; however, she has not paid any of the outstanding tax liability for them. Horner knew she was required to account for and pay over the employment taxes and file the quarterly Forms 941 and willfully chose to violate this obligation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation.
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Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on April 7 was:
Kyle Jason Swindler, 41, of Billings, on charges of attempted coercion and enticement. If convicted of the most serious crime, Swindler faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Swindler was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-27.
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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Butte man admits strangling woman on Northern Cheyenne Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Butte man accused of strangling a woman on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation admitted charges today, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Isaiah Benjamin Antelope, 26, pleaded guilty to strangulation. Antelope faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Sentencing was set for Aug. 17. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other sentencing factors. Antelope was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in July 2020 the victim went to Antelope’s house in the Lame Deer area, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, for Antelope’s help in fixing a flat tire on a car. After trying to fix the tire, Antelope and the victim went inside the house. The victim was scared because the two had argued the day before. The two exchanged words and then Antelope strangled the victim with his hands. Antelope had strangled the victim on other occasions and made her pass out or feel like she was going to pass out.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Poplar man sentenced to more than three years in prison for stabbing two people on Fort Peck Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Poplar man who admitted to stabbing two individuals at a Wolf Point residence on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was sentenced today to three years and two months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Dewayne C. Shoots, Jr., 29, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to an indictment charging him with two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 5, 2020, a Wolf Point police officer responded to a report that Shoots had stabbed multiple victims at a residence. The officer saw a victim, identified as John Doe, outside of the residence and bleeding from multiple stab wounds. The second victim, identified as Jane Doe, was lying on the floor inside of the residence and suffering from multiple stab wounds. Both victims identified Shoots as having stabbed them. Both victims suffered serious injuries. Witnesses confirmed they saw Shoots stab both John Doe and Jane Doe. All of the individuals at the scene had been consuming alcohol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy A. Johnson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Wolf Point Police Department and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office.
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Box Elder man sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for shooting man in the back of the head with intent to commit murder on the Rocky Boy’s Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Box Elder man who admitted to assault charges for shooting a man in the back of the head with a shotgun in an attempt to kill him on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 14 years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Dakota Houle, 26, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on March 17, 2019 in Box Elder, located on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Houle, another male individual and two females were at a residence. The group lured the victim, identified as John Doe, to the residence using social media. Shortly after Doe arrived, Houle and the male individual attacked and beat Doe, and robbed him at gun point. They forced Doe to remove his shoes and told him they were going to take him into the mountains to kill him.
Doe was forced at gun point into the front-passenger seat of his own car, while Houle sat directly behind Doe in the rear-side passenger seat with a shotgun in hand. The two females were passengers. The male individual drove the car toward the mountains as Doe pleaded for his life. When the vehicle slowed for a cattle guard, Doe reached over and jerked the steering wheel, causing the car to go into a ditch. Doe jumped out and attempted to escape. The male individual shouted at Houle that Doe was “getting away” and to “shoot” him. Houle shot Doe in the back of the head, intending to kill him. Believing Doe was dead, Houle and the others fled on foot. Doe suffered serious life-threatening injuries and has permanent damage as a result of the shooting.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Cobell and Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Chippewa Cree 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 during the week of March 28 through April 1 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 31 was:
Jayson Gayo, 27, of Harlowton, on charges of possession of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Gayo faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Gayo was released pending further proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-24.
Bruce Eugene Bittick, 44, a transient, on charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bittick faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on bank fraud and a mandatory minimum two years in prison consecutive to any other crime on aggravated identity theft. Bittick was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-14.
Appearing on March 28 was:
Dominique Kendall Brown, 28, of Billings, 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, Brown faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Brown was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Montana Highway Patrol, Fort Peck Police and Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-19.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on March 30 was:
Krista Jean Vela, 38, of Bend, Oregon, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Vela faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Vela was detained pending further proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Northwest Drug Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-53.
Charles Warren Campbell, 51, of Butte, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and possession of an unregistered firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Campbell faces a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison consecutive to any other crime, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the crime of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Campbell was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Montana Probation and Parole, and Butte Silver-Bow Law Enforcement Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-09.
Ira Kyrk Westbrook, 46, of Billings, on charges of health care fraud, Social Security fraud and theft of government property. If convicted of the most serious crime, Westbrook faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Westbrook was detained pending further proceedings. The Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Montana Adult Protective Services and Bozeman Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-14.
James Ryan Elverud, 33, of Butte, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Elverud faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Elverud was detained pending further proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Flathead Tribal Police, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal law enforcement and Montana Highway Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-04.
Appearing on March 29 was:
Donaldo Perez Garcia, 28, of Mexico, on charges of illegal reentry. If convicted of the most serious crime, Garcia faces a maximum of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Garcia was detained pending further proceedings. Department of Homeland Security’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Belgrade Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-41.
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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Lodge Grass man sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexually abusing children on the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian reservationsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man who was convicted by a jury of sexually abusing two children in the 1990s on the Northern Cheyenne and the Crow Indian reservations was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
A federal jury in October 2021 found Donald Ray Gardner, 58, guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of abusive sexual contact.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents and in evidence presented at trial, the government alleged that Gardner sexually abused two young girls over multiple occasions. Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with a victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, in 1994 in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The government further alleged Gardner engaged in a sexual act and in sexual contact with another victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, in the Crow Agency area on the Crow Reservation in 1996 and in 1998. Both victims were under the age of 12 at the time.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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Bozeman area man sentenced to prison for trafficking methamphetamineRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Bozeman-area man who admitted to dealing methamphetamine in the community was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Marty Eugene McDonald, 62, of Clyde Park, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in late 2020, the Missouri River Drug Task Force began an investigation into meth distribution by co-defendants Jared Williams and Max Stilson. The investigation led to McDonald and included three controlled purchases of meth from him. McDonald reported to law enforcement that he received about two pounds of meth from Williams over a six-month period and had been dealing meth for longer than he knew Williams. Williams was sentenced previously to eight years in prison for his conviction in case. An arrest warrant was issued for Stilson, who failed to appear for sentencing after conviction in the case. A third co-defendant, Arthur Kane, was sentenced previously to five years in prison for his conviction in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Montana Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Methamphetamine trafficking sends Missoula woman to prison for four yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula woman who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and heroin in the community was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Sadie Marie Todd, 45, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to possession with intent to distribute meth and heroin.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Judge Christensen also ordered the forfeiture of $6,895 in U.S. currency.
The government alleged in court documents that on May 11, 2021, Missoula Police Department officers searched Todd’s residence pursuant to a state warrant. Officers recovered meth, heroin, and drug paraphernalia. Todd admitted during an interview that she had the drugs and paraphernalia in her residence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Conrad felon sentenced to 21 months in prison for illegal possession of firearmsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Conrad man who admitted to illegally possessing three firearms within one month of being on state probation for a felony conviction was sentenced today to 21 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Jeremy John Walston, 36, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to felon in possession of a firearm.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that within one month of starting Montana state probation for a felony conviction, Walston possessed three firearms, including an AR-15 style rifle with a high-capacity magazine, a shotgun and a pistol, along with more than 100 rounds of ammunition. Walston also admitted to having sold a second AR-15 rifle shortly before his arrest. Walston was convicted of a state felony drug crime and sentenced on July 6, 2020. On Aug. 6, 2020, after hearing reports of Walston possessing firearms, probation officers conducted a home check of Walston’s residence and found the three firearms in his bedroom. Walston stated he knew he could not have the firearms.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Browning man sentenced to 38 months in prison for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who admitted to having child pornography images and videos on his cellular phone was sentenced today to 38 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Edward James Hovey, 30, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to possession of child pornography.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $6,000 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that in June 2021, a witness brought Hovey’s cellular phone to a Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services officer, said it contained images of nude children and showed the officer some of the files. The officer seized the phone, which was searched pursuant to a warrant. The phone contained images and videos of child pornography. At the time of the investigation, Hovey lived in Browning, located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Hovey admitted in an interview that the phone belonged to him and that he had used it for the past few months to seek child pornography on the internet.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
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.
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Anaconda man sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted coercion, enticement of minor for sex in undercover investigationRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — An Anaconda man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, after he admitted he tried to coerce a girl he believed to be a minor into engaging in sex during an undercover investigation, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Terry Joseph Jette, 56, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to attempted coercion and enticement.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on June 21, 2021, Jette initiated a conversation through social media with a 13-year-old user girl who was actually an undercover FBI special agent. From the beginning, Jette was told the girl was 13 years old. Jette continued online communication with the girl until his arrest on July 9, 2021. During the communications, Jette sent the girl an image of his penis and requested nude images of the child. Jette initiated sexually explicit conversations, suggested a meeting and discussed bringing methamphetamine and condoms to the meeting. On July 8, Jette traveled from Anaconda to Missoula to meet the girl and asked her to sneak out of her house. When the girl was unable to meet that day, Jette suggested a meeting the next day in East Missoula. Jette made explicit statements about engaging in sexual intercourse and said he had meth. On July 9, Jette was arrested at the predetermined meeting location. During a search of his vehicle, law enforcement found a condom, meth, Viagra and candy for the girl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Missoula 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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Missoula meth trafficker sentenced to six years in prisonRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Missoula man convicted of trafficking methamphetamine in the community was sentenced today to six years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Leonard George Carleton, 58, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in May 2021, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office supervised a controlled buy of approximately 53.6 grams of meth from Carleton. Later, on June 2, 2021, members of law enforcement searched Carleton’s shop and vehicle and recovered numerous guns, and over 2,800 grams, or approximately six pounds, of pure meth. Six pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 22,106 doses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Mexican national admits firearm and immigration crimes after arrest in Glacier CountyRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Mexican national today admitted to firearm and immigration crimes after an arrest in Glacier County in which law enforcement found a stolen firearm, ammunition, methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and counterfeit identification cards, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Jesus Zamora-Cuevas, 23, from Mexico, pleaded guilty to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition and to illegal reentry. Zamora-Cuevas faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the firearm count.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for June 15. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Zamora-Cuevas was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that at 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 14, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services officers responded to a report of a strange vehicle parked near a local resident’s driveway. The caller reported hearing what sounded like a gun being cocked when he approached the vehicle. Officers located the vehicle near the caller’s driveway. Zamora-Cuevas was the driver and there was one passenger. Officers removed both individuals from the vehicle and patted them down. Officers found approximately 32 grams of meth on Zamora-Cuevas.
Officers saw the butt of a pistol under the driver’s seat and removed it. The pistol, which had a round in the chamber and a partially loaded magazine, had been reported stolen in Washington. A search warrant was executed on the vehicle, and officers found a second firearm, a .410-gauge shotgun, in the trunk, a second loaded magazine for the pistol and numerous rounds of 9mm ammunition in a bag. In addition, officers found in the vehicle a locked box that contained thousands of fentanyl pills.
Officers also found on Zamora-Cuevas documents bearing his name and purporting to be a permanent resident card and a Social Security card. The identification number on the permanent resident card was associated with a female, from Pakistan, who had become a U.S. citizen, while the number on the Social Security card was issued to an individual born in 1863. The investigation determined that Zamora-Cuevas was not a U.S. citizen and had unlawfully re-entered the United States after having been removed in 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Flathead Valley man sentenced to prison for trafficking heroin, illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Kalispell man who admitted to trafficking heroin and to illegal possession a firearm and ammunition was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Joseph Daniel Fox, 29, pleaded guilty in December 2021, to possession with intent to distribute heroin and to prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office had several cases involving Fox in which information indicated he was distributing drugs in the Flathead Valley and possessed firearms. Law enforcement learned from several sources that they had purchased heroin from Fox in 2019 and 2020. A search warrant executed on Fox’s Facebook account provided numerous messages where Fox offered heroin for sale and discussed prices. In February 2019, a search warrant was executed on Fox’s residence as part of a burglary investigation. Officers located marijuana, a digital scale, two firearms, methamphetamine and jewel baggies. Fox admitted to using marijuana and to possessing the guns and meth in his residence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Assault with a bat sends Wolf Point man to prison for 54 monthsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Fort Peck Indian Reservation man who admitted to aiding in attacking a man in the head with a bat was sentenced today to 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Rick John Morales, Jr., 32, who resides in both Wolf Point and Poplar, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, aiding and abetting.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $13,505 restitution to be joint and several with the codefendant.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that Morales aided and abetted codefendant Harry B. Azure in assaulting the victim, identified as John Doe, on Nov. 19, 2019, in Wolf Point. John Doe called 911 for medical assistance and told a responding tribal officer that three individuals kicked in the door to his residence, struck him multiple times in the head with a small baseball bat and left. Doe ultimately was flown to a Billings hospital where staff determined the victim had a severe traumatic brain injury. The victim later told law enforcement that the assault occurred days after an incident involving Morales. Azure was sentenced previously to 32 months in prison for conviction in the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Johnson, prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Fort Peck Tribal Police.
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Trout Creek woman sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling more than $650,000 from companyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Trout Creek woman convicted of embezzling more than $650,000 while working for a Trout Creek company was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Tina Rae Wood, 49, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. Judge Molloy also ordered $650,843 in restitution and allowed Wood to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons.
The government alleged in court documents that Wood was hired in 2013 by a supply company in Trout Creek as an office administrator and secretary. Wood eventually became in charge of depositing payments from customers and had access to the company’s accounting system. For almost five years, Wood used the accounting software to embezzle checks from one of the company’s biggest customers and deposited most of the stolen money into a personal bank account she opened in a bank in Thompson Falls. Wood blamed the company’s accounting software for her misdeeds, and she ordered deposit slips for her personal bank account that referenced the company name, likely to avoid scrutiny from bank personnel. In February 2019, when the company’s owner realized something was amiss, he contacted Wood. Wood refused to talk to the owner and cleaned out her desk the next weekend. An investigation found 109 customer checks, totaling about $650,843, that Wood had deposited into her own account.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI.
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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:
Kyngsten Bargar, 29, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bargar faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Bargar was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI’s Western Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-29.
Appearing on March 22 was:
Daniel Joseph Martz, 44, address unknown, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Martz faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Martz was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-18.
Joseph Wayne Cantrell, 28, of Billings, on charges of carjacking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serous crime, Cantrell faces a mandatory minimum five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other punishment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, with a possible a mandatory minimum seven years to life in prison, consecutive to any other punishment, if found to have brandished a firearm. Cantrell was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-15.
Appearing on March 21 was:
Tyson Daniel Lingelbach, 36, of Billings, on charges of possession of an unregistered firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lingelbach faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lingelbach was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-115.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on March 22 was:
Heather Dawn Smith, also known as Heather Dawn Yellow Owl, 31, of Wolf Point, on charges of second degree murder. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Smith was released pending further proceedings. The FBI and Fort Peck Tribes Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-15.
Shelby Loves Him, 23, of Poplar, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and felony child abuse. If convicted of the most serious crime, Loves Him faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Loves Him was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Montana Highway Patrol and Fort Peck Tribes Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-20.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Illegal possession of firearm sends Hamilton man to prison for more than two yearsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Hamilton man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after he admitted to illegally possessing a firearm after being found passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle that was stopped at an intersection in Missoula, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Andrew David Golie, 35, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that in October 2020, Golie was on state probation for a 2012 felony conviction of tampering with witnesses and informants. On Oct. 1, 2020, at approximately 4 a.m., Missoula police officers found Golie passed out in the driver’s seat of a running car that was stopped at an intersection in Missoula. The officers smelled marijuana and saw an unholstered firearm on the passenger seat next to Golie. The firearm, a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, had a round loaded in the chamber and additional rounds of ammunition in the magazine. Officers also located two backpacks in the front passenger seat that contained methamphetamine and syringes.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee L. Peterson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missoula Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Helena man sentenced to prison for bank fraud in COVID-19 relief schemeRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Helena man who admitted lying in a scheme to receive more than $400,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for coronavirus relief aid and using the money instead for personal benefit was sentenced on March 23 to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Kasey Jones Wilson, 29, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to bank fraud and to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered $125,000 restitution.
“Wilson tried to line his own pockets at the expense of small businesses that needed this federal aid to help make payroll and cover other expenses during a deadly pandemic. Such fraudsters will be fully investigated and prosecuted. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich, IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners for their work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Johnson said.
“This sentencing is a victory for American citizens and the business owners the Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help,” said Andy Tsui, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “Through our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, IRS Criminal Investigation agents will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who try to exploit federal relief programs for their personal gain.”
In court documents, the government alleged that on June 28, 2020, Wilson applied to Valley Bank of Helena for a Paycheck Protection Program loan seeking $416,400 on behalf of Step Above Management LLC, an entity he and codefendant, Trevor Lanius-McLeod, controlled. The loan was granted, and funds were sent to an account that Wilson controlled. Lanius-McLeod has pleaded guilty to charges and is pending sentencing.
The PPP program, which is part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provided emergency assistance to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses.
Wilson and Lanius-McLeod made numerous false statements on the PPP loan application. Without the false statements, Wilson and Lanius-McLeod would not have qualified for a PPP loan. The defendants falsely stated that Step Above Management had paid payroll taxes and had 34 employees. The company never paid payroll taxes and had no employees besides Wilson and Lanius-McLeod. Wilson also represented on the loan application that he had not been convicted of a felony within the last five years, when he had been convicted of a felony in 2016.
The government further alleged that in a promissory note, the defendants agreed to use the funds for business-related expenses. None of the loan money was used for these purposes. Instead, the proceeds were spent on various personal expenses. Most of the loan funds went to Lanius-McLeod. Wilson purchased several cashier’s checks from Valley Bank of Helena payable to Lanius-McLeod.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and U.S. Secret Service.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Livingston man who possessed stolen firearm sentenced to two years in prisonRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Livingston man who admitted to possessing a stolen firearm after a traffic stop led to his arrest was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Orville James McIntire, 21, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to possession of a stolen firearm.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 31, 2020, a Park County Sheriff’s deputy made a traffic stop near Livingston of a Cadillac Deville that had been reported stolen. The deputy saw on the front passenger seat a firearm case that contained a Zastava M70 semi-automatic 9 mm pistol, with a loaded magazine and a round in the chamber. McIntire was in the rear passenger seat and the only other occupant of the vehicle. Officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The driver told officers he had picked up McIntire from a residence so the two could go to Butte to get drugs. The driver further said McIntire entered the vehicle with a backpack and the gun case and sat in the front seat. When law enforcement began following the vehicle, McIntire became nervous, jumped in the back seat and told the driver to stop so he could run from the car. Investigators learned from an individual that McIntire had stolen his Zastava 9mm semi-automatic pistol in January 2020.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Missouri River Drug Task Force and the Livingston Police Department.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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Billings woman admits trafficking meth, fentanylRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings woman accused of possessing multiple drugs, including methamphetamine and more than 9,000 fentanyl pills, for distribution admitted to a trafficking crime today, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.
Elizabeth Ardelle Grace Ronshaugen, 29, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Ronshaugen faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and 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. Ronshaugen was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that law enforcement began an investigation into Ronshaugen and co-defendant Eric Charles Swan in 2021 after receiving information of possible drug trafficking. In November, agents observed that Swan was traveling to Denver and returning to Montana. Law enforcement pulled over Swan and Ronshaugen near Buffalo, Wyoming. Ronshaugen was found to have several fentanyl pills hidden in her clothing and approximately 52 additional fentanyl pills were located in a plastic zip lock bag on her person. During a search of the vehicle, Wyoming law enforcement located approximately 9,616 fentanyl pills, approximately 466 grams, or a little more than one pound, of heroin, 103 grams of meth, a gram of cocaine, 14 Dialudid pills and $9,775 in U.S. currency. Swan has pleaded guilty to charges and is pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas K. Godfrey is prosecuting the case. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.
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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 17 was:
Stephanie Lynn Thomason, 51, of Seaback, Washington, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Thomason faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Thomason was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-13.
Sean James Sage, 40, of Billings, on charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Sage faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the bank fraud crime and a mandatory minimum two years in prison consecutive to any other punishment, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft crime. Sage was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-88.
Appearing on March 15 was:
Jacob B Ramirez, 40, of Reed Point, on charges of attempted coercion and enticement. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ramirez faces a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life of supervised release. Ramirez was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 22-25.
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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